07.07.2026 16:12
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed discomfort over reports that US President Donald Trump will make a statement regarding Turkey's potential reintegration into the F-35 program, arguing that the US must maintain Israel's qualitative military edge.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed discomfort over reports that US President Donald Trump would make a statement regarding Turkey's re-inclusion in the F-35 program, stating that the US must maintain Israel's qualitative military edge.
Saar, who held a press conference in West Jerusalem with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, answered journalists' questions.
DESCRIBED GENOCIDE REACTIONS AS 'HOSTILE'
Saar claimed that statements by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan regarding Israel's genocide in the Gaza Strip were hostile, and asserted he would not speculate on what US President Donald Trump would say to President Erdogan today.
CONVEYED THEIR DISCOMFORT TO TRUMP
When asked about reports that Trump would announce his readiness to allow Turkey renewed access to F-35 fighter jets, Saar stated he would not speculate on the matter, noted their opposition to Turkey acquiring F-35 fighter jets, and said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally conveyed this to US President Trump.
Saar claimed that maintaining a "qualitative military edge" in the region is critical for Israel and argued that US policy supports this superiority.
Saar asserted that "Trump and his administration, friends of Israel, adopt this policy" and therefore hoped that the sale of F-35s to Turkey would not occur.
In his speech, Saar claimed they wanted the implementation of the Trump plan in Gaza, while arguing that in Lebanon, where they occupy a large area in the south, they have territorial ambitions.
A statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry noted that Saar had met with his German counterpart nine times this year.
The statement indicated that the pair signed an agreement stipulating that Germany would provide annual financial support of 5 million euros to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Center for "Holocaust research, documentation, education, and commemoration activities" until 2030.