14.05.2025 18:40
It has been reported that Israel has conveyed its objections to the United States regarding the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets, which are only possessed by Tel Aviv, to Turkey. Israel opposes Turkey's inclusion in the F-35 program in order to maintain its military superiority in the region.
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It has been reported that Israel has conveyed its objections to the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets, which only Tel Aviv possesses in the region, to the US.
THE SALE OF F-35s TO TURKEY HAS SET OFF ALARM BELLS IN ISRAEL
According to a report by Yedioth Ahronoth, senior Israeli officials sent messages to the Trump administration indicating that Tel Aviv opposes the potential sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey. Israeli officials expressed concerns that this sale could lead to a reduction in Tel Aviv's "qualified" military superiority in the region.
TRUMP CONTINUES DIRECT CONTACT WITH ERDOĞAN
The report stated that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regularly meets with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and that Trump continues to maintain direct contact with Erdoğan. Additionally, the report noted, "Israel's concerns come after increasing disappointment regarding President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's increasingly hostile rhetoric towards Israel. In recent months, Erdoğan has intensified his verbal attacks, most recently describing Israel as a 'terror state' and saying, 'May my Lord destroy Zionist Israel.'
"IT HAS LED TO ISRAEL'S CONCERNS"
The report indicated that during former President Joe Biden's administration, the US harshly criticized Turkey and even went as far as halting the sale of F-35s. "However, the Trump administration has reportedly reconsidered this agreement. This situation has led to Israel's concerns, especially during a period when the US is more broadly addressing the sale of advanced fighter jets to other countries in the Middle East," the report stated.
NETANYAHU EXPRESSED HIS CONCERNS IN THE COMMITTEE
It was reported that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed the issue at a recent briefing meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee in parliament, emphasizing that "Israel opposes the agreement and that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to prevent this sale." It was noted that committee members left the meeting with the impression that the sales process was nearly complete.
THE US APPEARS READY TO SELL F-35 FIGHTER JETS TO TURKEY
The report indicated that "the US appears ready to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey," expressing that "Israel is concerned about the close relationship between Trump and Erdoğan." It was noted that during a joint press conference with Netanyahu at the White House last month, Trump expressed admiration for President Erdoğan and told Netanyahu, "I believe I can solve every problem you have with Turkey (regarding Syria)." Despite these reassurances, Israeli officials say they have not seen any US efforts to rein in Ankara's hostility, and that Washington continues to maintain close ties with the Erdoğan government.
TRUMP REQUESTED A STUDY ON "HOW TURKEY CAN AVOID CAATSA SANCTIONS"
A report published on Fox News on March 21, based on two sources familiar with the matter, indicated that Trump had evaluated the issue of selling F-35s to Ankara. The report stated, "Trump indicated that he is open to the idea of selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey if both sides reach an agreement that would render Turkey's S-400s inoperable."
The report noted that for the sale of these aircraft to Turkey to proceed, the US would need to lift the sanctions imposed under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), and that Trump had asked his team to conduct a study on "how Turkey can avoid CAATSA sanctions."
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