Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again sharply criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan — this time during an interview with Fox News on July 6, 2026. Speaking in strong terms, Netanyahu argued that Turkey should not be allowed to acquire U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighter jets.
A Sharp Accusation
Netanyahu described Turkey as a ‘great country’ but said it is governed by a leader who openly threatens Israel’s existence, occupies half of Cyprus illegally, and menaces Greece. He also accused Erdoğan’s administration of being ‘infiltrated’ by the Muslim Brotherhood — a group he characterized as chanting ‘Death to America.’
F-35s and Regional Security
The remarks come amid renewed debate over U.S. arms sales to Turkey, fueled by recent moves from the American government and the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara — where former U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend. Earlier this month, Trump signaled openness to selling F110 engines for Turkey’s indigenous KAAN fighter jets and potentially reinstating Ankara into the F-35 program.
Netanyahu warned that such a step would disrupt the regional balance of power in the Middle East — a stability, he stressed, that relies heavily on Israel’s air superiority.