Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to CNN on Tuesday regarding the US sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, shortly after US President Donald Trump discussed the sale with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a press conference in Ankara.
Why is Israel concerned about the F-35 sale to Turkey?
Netanyahu asserts that the transfer of advanced F-35 technology to Turkey risks destabilizing the Middle East. Netanyahu explicitly told CNN that Turkey is not a “friendly state” to the U.S., pointing to Ankara's history of imprisoning journalists and political opponents, as well as its public support for Hamas.
Netanyahu characterized Turkey’s regional ambitions as an attempt to “restore the Ottoman Empire,” suggesting that these aggressive aspirations directly threaten both NATO allies and Israel.
How do the U.S. and Israel manage diplomatic disagreements?
Despite friction over the F-35 deal, Netanyahu maintains that the U.S. and Israel remain fundamentally aligned on major strategic issues. When asked about potential rifts, the Prime Minister acknowledged that “even allies can have differences.” He highlighted their shared stance on Iran as the cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. Netanyahu commended President Trump for deploying significant American military assets to the region to counter Iran, which he described as a “common enemy” that threatens both nations.
Regarding the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, Netanyahu expressed initial skepticism but noted that it is “too early to say what will happen.” He reaffirmed his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating that this objective remains a shared priority with the Trump administration.
What is Israel’s stance on West Bank settler violence?
Netanyahu addressed growing international scrutiny regarding violence in the West Bank, condemning incidents of settler aggression as a violation of basic norms. “Our citizens cannot practice violence against anyone,” Netanyahu told CNN. He emphasized that the maintenance of law and order must remain the exclusive domain of the police and the military. The Prime Minister explicitly rejected vigilantism, stating he does not distinguish between perpetrators based on their background, whether they are Arabs or Jews.
When monitoring regional stability, look for statements from official government channels, as these often
