Netanyahu Presses Washington Against Turkey F-35 Deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a second U.S. television interview in under 24 hours as part of a diplomatic push against a possible American F-35 sale to Turkey before the NATO summit in Ankara. The concern in Jerusalem is that expanded U.S.-Turkey defense cooperation, including fighter engines, F-35 components or a path back into the stealth-jet program, could weaken Israel's qualitative military edge while Erdogan keeps threatening the Jewish state and backing hostile regional forces. Turkey was removed from the F-35 program after buying Russia's S-400 air-defense system, which American critics say can expose sensitive stealth technology. Israel should keep the case disciplined: Turkey can remain a NATO member, but advanced American systems must not reward anti-Israel escalation or endanger allied pilots.