Netanyahu: “No Chance” US Will Sell F-35s to Turkey – Israel Would React “on Steroids”

Greek City Times
22 November 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has bluntly dismissed the possibility of the United States approving the sale of F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey, warning that Jerusalem would respond with far greater intensity than it did to Washington’s planned F-35 transfer to Saudi Arabia.

In an interview with the popular Telegram channel Abu Ali Express, widely circulated in Israeli and regional media, Netanyahu stated:
“I see this possibility as extremely remote – if it even exists at all. Our position on Saudi Arabia and the F-35s, where there is no state of confrontation with us, would be that stance multiplied on steroids when it comes to Turkey.”

The Israeli leader described Ankara as a significantly greater strategic threat to Israel than Riyadh, citing Turkey’s hostile posture in the Eastern Mediterranean, its support for Hamas, and its expanding military presence in Syria and Libya.

Turkey was expelled from the F-35 programme in 2019 after purchasing Russia’s S-400 air defence system. Despite repeated Turkish efforts to rejoin the programme, Netanyahu confirmed he recently held an in-depth discussion with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed Washington’s legal obligation to preserve Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME).

The comments come just days after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House on 18 November, where President Donald Trump announced plans to proceed with the sale of up to 48 F-35s to Riyadh – aircraft that will reportedly have downgraded capabilities to comply with Israel’s QME.

Deepening Israel–Turkey Tensions

Netanyahu’s remarks underscore the deteriorating relations between Jerusalem and Ankara. Turkey has offered to deploy troops to Gaza following the October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a proposal Israel has categorically rejected due to President Erdoğan’s open support for the Palestinian terrorist group.

Israeli officials have also expressed alarm that Turkish-operated F-35s would severely restrict the Israeli Air Force’s freedom of action over the Eastern Mediterranean – an area where Greek and Turkish jets already engage in frequent near-misses.

US Legal Barriers Remain Firm

Reinstating Turkey in the F-35 programme faces insurmountable legal hurdles in Washington:

• The Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions over the S-400 purchase are still in force.
• Annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provisions explicitly block F-35 transfers to Turkey until the S-400 issue is permanently resolved.
• Any arms package requires Congressional approval, where both Israeli and Greek-American lobbies wield significant influence.

US officials continue to insist on a “clear and irreversible” solution to the Russian missile dispute – a demand Ankara has repeatedly refused, insisting it will neither destroy nor transfer the S-400 batteries.

As Greece moves forward with its own F-35 acquisition (with the first jets expected in 2028), Netanyahu’s statement sends a clear message: Israel will use every lever to ensure Turkey remains locked out of the fifth-generation fighter club.

Turkish Media: “Greece arming itself with Rafale, F-35 and F-16 VIPER”