Netanyahu Presses Washington Against Turkey F-35 Deal
Published
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.
Sources
Difference in reporting
Sources factually differ in what part of the developing track they confirm. Maariv reports the same-hour July 6 development: Netanyahu used a second U.S. television interview in under 24 hours as a diplomatic-media push against a possible F-35 sale to Turkey before the Ankara NATO summit. i24NEWS confirms Netanyahu's earlier stance that Erdogan's anti-Israel threats should be raised with Washington and the Israeli argument against the Turkey F-35 track. Ynet, C14, Fox News and the AP pickup confirm the underlying U.S.-Turkey defense track, NATO-summit timing, S-400 objection, KAAN-engine sale or possible F-35 re-entry, but do not report the July 6 second-interview push. The agreed facts are that Israel is concerned about Turkey re-entering the F-35 path, Washington is considering or advancing defense cooperation with Ankara before the NATO summit, and the S-400 remains the central security objection. No source reports an opposite Israeli position or a completed F-35 sale.
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