Netanyahu advises against F-35 delivery to Turkish leadership tied to Muslim Brotherhood

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that providing Ankara with F-35 aircraft or related engines could shift regional power dynamics unfavorably.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that transferring F-35 fighter jets to Turkey risks altering the Middle East power equilibrium and endangering Israeli aerial dominance, as stated in a Monday interview with Fox and Friends.

"Turkey represents a significant nation, yet it operates under a leader who publicly advocates for Israel's destruction," Netanyahu remarked regarding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "This leader controls part of Cyprus, a NATO member state. He issues threats toward Greece, another NATO ally, and speaks directly about seizing Jerusalem."

He highlighted the role of the Muslim Brotherhood within Turkey, describing Ankara's government as "a regime influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood" that "opposes America and calls for its downfall."

Netanyahu noted that supplying F-35s or jet engines to Ankara would "disrupt the Middle East power balance, which relies ultimately on Israeli air superiority and America's presence in the region."

Netanyahu pointed to Turkish backing for Hamas and inaction regarding Iran's Islamic regime as additional grounds for US President Donald Trump to withhold support for Ankara's F-35 acquisition.

Trump plans to engage with Erdogan during the forthcoming NATO summit in Ankara this week.

Netanyahu rejects assertions of discord with Trump

Netanyahu also rejected notions of notable friction in his ties with Trump, informing Fox that the two "align closely on nearly all matters" and "function as close allies."

Addressing Trump's remarks that suggested some tension, Netanyahu downplayed them by noting, "The president expresses himself in his manner, as do I."

Netanyahu further informed Fox that no date has been finalized for his planned meeting with Trump, announced on Friday.

He expressed hope to address the Israel-Lebanon peace agreement in the discussion to move forward with the US-brokered accord.