Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally warned the Trump administration against selling advanced F-35 fighter jets or jet engines to Turkey.

The warning highlights a deep strategic rift within the NATO alliance, as Israel views Turkey's support for Hamas and its aggressive regional posture as a direct threat to Middle East stability.

With President Donald Trump preparing to travel to Ankara for a crucial NATO summit, the defense dispute places a spotlight on the delicate balance of power in the region and the limits of U.S. military sales to complex allies.

WHAT HAPPENED

In an interview on Fox News, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the United States to withhold its flagship fifth-generation stealth fighters from Turkey. Netanyahu argued that providing Turkey with F-35s or the F110 engines needed for its domestic fighter jet program would severely disrupt the Middle East's balance of power.

Netanyahu characterized the Turkish government under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as "a regime infected by the Muslim Brotherhood," accusing it of harboring deep hostility toward the United States and openly calling for the destruction of Israel. He also pointed to Turkey's aggressive actions toward other NATO members, noting its occupation of northern Cyprus and its ongoing threats against Greece.

The warning comes at a highly sensitive diplomatic moment. President Trump is scheduled to depart for Ankara to attend a NATO summit. Last month, Trump hinted that he might approve steps to satisfy Erdoğan's defense requests, suggesting to reporters that he might do something to make the Turkish leader "very happy" regarding Turkey's efforts to secure F110 jet engines and regain access to the F-35 program.

Turkey was originally a partner in the Joint Strike Fighter program but was expelled by Washington in 2019. The removal occurred after Turkey purchased the Russian S-400 air defense system, raising concerns that Russian technicians could gather intelligence on the stealth capabilities of the F-35.

Key Facts:

• The Warning: Prime Minister Netanyahu formally urged the U.S. not to sell F-35 jets or engines to Turkey.
• The Reason: Netanyahu cited Turkey's support for Hamas, its hostility toward Israel, and its aggressive posture toward NATO allies Greece and Cyprus.
• The Timing: The warning was delivered just as President Trump prepares to travel to Ankara for a NATO summit.
• The History: Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing a Russian S-400 missile defense system.
• The U.S. Position: Vice President JD Vance has noted that any F-35 sale to Turkey would require congressional approval.

Why It Matters This dispute exposes a fundamental friction point within the Western alliance. Turkey is a critical NATO member, but its foreign policy under Erdoğan has increasingly diverged from Western and Israeli interests. Turkey's open support for Hamas and its purchase of Russian military hardware have long strained its relationship with Washington.

For Israel, maintaining a qualitative military edge in the Middle East is a matter of national survival. Netanyahu argued that regional stability is ultimately guaranteed by Israeli air superiority and a strong U.S. posture. Allowing Turkey to acquire advanced stealth capabilities could compromise that superiority, especially given Erdoğan's rhetoric regarding Jerusalem and Israel's right to exist.

Furthermore, the situation tests the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu. While the two leaders are close allies, Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy and his desire to secure major defense deals or diplomatic wins at the NATO summit could clash with Israel's strict security redlines.

What Happens Next President Trump's upcoming meetings in Ankara will be watched closely to see if he addresses Netanyahu's concerns or moves forward with a defense package for Turkey. While Trump has expressed a willingness to make Erdoğan "very happy," any concrete deal will face significant domestic hurdles.

Vice President JD Vance recently emphasized that restoring Turkey's access to the F-35 program or selling them advanced military engines is "really a congressional thing." Under U.S. law, Congress has the authority to block major foreign arms sales. Given Turkey's controversial foreign policy and its past purchase of Russian defense systems, any proposal to sell them F-35s is likely to face intense bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill.

Meanwhile, Turkey continues to develop its own flagship stealth fighter project, the KAAN. Ankara remains eager to secure American F110 engines to power early versions of the aircraft, meaning the engine sale could serve as a potential compromise if the full F-35 deal remains blocked.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

1. Will President Trump heed Netanyahu's warning, or will he proceed with offering a defense package to Turkey during the NATO summit in Ankara?
2. Is Congress prepared to block any potential sale of F-35 jets or F110 engines to Turkey if the Trump administration attempts to move forward with a deal?
3. What conditions, if any, would Turkey have to meet—such as divesting from the Russian S-400 system or altering its stance on Hamas—to regain the trust of the U.S. and its allies?

SOURCE NOTE

This story draws on reporting from Fox News.