Benjamin Netanyahu Urges Donald Trump To Confront Recep Tayyip Erdogan Ahead Of NATO Summit In Ankara

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged U.S. President Donald Trump to confront Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over anti-Israel rhetoric ahead of this week’s NATO summit in Ankara, and Netanyahu also urged Trump to avoid approving new military sales that could strengthen Turkey’s air force.

The requests come as Trump prepares to meet Erdogan during the NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara, where regional security and defence ties are expected to dominate discussions, and a U.S. official told Axios that Netanyahu made an ask and the president heard him.

Aajil

Netanyahu’s concerns also centered on Turkey’s possible return to the F-35 fighter jet programme, after Turkey was removed in 2019 following its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defence system, with Washington arguing that operating the Russian system alongside the stealth fighter could expose sensitive U.S. military technology.

Vice President JD Vance confirmed last week that the Pentagon is reviewing whether there is a legal pathway to revive the deal, saying, "There are certain things that we have to certify have happened ... in order to comply with American law."

Alongside the F-35 discussions, the two countries were also expected to talk about a proposed $700 million engine package for Turkey’s fighter aircraft.

Netanyahu also pressed his case publicly, telling Fox & Friends that he did not think Turkey should be given F-35s or the engines for its fighter jets because it would upset the power balance in the Middle East.

In that Fox News appearance, Netanyahu said, "For a regime infected by the Muslim Brotherhood, an extreme movement that hates America ... I don't think they should be given F-35s or the engines for their fighter jets".

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The Jerusalem Post framed Netanyahu’s two Fox News interviews as a diplomatic effort to prevent Erdogan from leaving the NATO Summit with the image of a strategic victory that would signal Turkey’s return to the status of Washington’s preferred security partner.

The Jerusalem Post also quoted Netanyahu’s broader indictment of Erdogan’s regime, including that "they talk openly about conquering Jerusalem" as Netanyahu aimed his criticism at Erdogan while addressing Washington.

Jewish Insider reported that Netanyahu’s remarks came hours before President Donald Trump’s departure for a NATO summit in Turkey, where Trump is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Erdogan.

The dispute over Turkey’s access to advanced U.S. military technology is tied to Israel’s air superiority and the U.S. posture in the region, with Netanyahu warning that arming Turkey with F-35s would jeopardize that balance.

Jewish Insider said Netanyahu’s opposition echoed concerns shared by a bipartisan group of House lawmakers led by Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Brad Sherman (D-CA), who wrote to Trump warning that Erdogan’s "constant and growing anti-Israel rhetoric" and ties to Iran make Turkey’s inclusion in the F-35 program unwise.

Haaretz reported that Netanyahu urged the United States not to sell F-35 fighter jets or F110 fighter jet engines to Turkey, arguing that doing so would upset the regional balance of power by undermining Israel’s air superiority.

In parallel, the India Today report said Netanyahu privately appealed to Trump to use his personal rapport with Erdogan to persuade the Turkish leader to tone down his public attacks on Israel, and it noted that neither the White House nor Netanyahu’s office commented on the reported phone call.

As the NATO summit in Ankara approaches, the sources describe a potential shift in U.S.-Turkey defense cooperation as a central risk for Israel, with the decision on whether to approve the F-35 pathway and the $700 million engine package hanging on what Trump and Erdogan do next.