The proposed sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye, one of the key issues discussed during the NATO Summit in Ankara, has reportedly created tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to U.S. media reports, President Trump was “furious” over Netanyahu’s public criticism of the planned F-35 sale to Türkiye.
Citing White House sources, Axios reported that Netanyahu said during a television interview that supplying F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye would upset the balance of power in the Middle East. His remarks reportedly caused concern within the Trump administration.
Sources familiar with the matter said Trump reacted strongly to Netanyahu’s comments.
According to those sources, Trump reportedly said, “Bibi had no right to speak about this issue.”
While the U.S. administration emphasized that no final decision has yet been made regarding the sale of F-35 aircraft to Türkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently stated that the United States had committed to delivering five F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye.
Netanyahu’s Remarks
Ahead of President Trump’s planned visit to Ankara, Netanyahu urged the United States not to provide F-35 fighter jets or jet engines to Türkiye during remarks to the U.S. media.
Referring to statements by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan regarding what they described as Israel’s genocide in Gaza, Netanyahu said before Trump’s visit to Ankara:
“I don’t think they should be given F-35s or jet engines.”