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United States President Donald Trump said Monday he is considering selling F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye, a move strongly opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was visiting Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
“We’re thinking about it very seriously,” Trump said when asked about a potential F-35 deal for Türkiye during a joint appearance with Netanyahu.
The United States removed Türkiye from the F-35 program in 2019 after the NATO ally proceeded with the purchase of a Russian-made S-400 missile defense system.
Trump underscored his personal relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, describing him as “a very good friend.”
“We’re not going to have a problem,” Trump said when asked about tensions between Israel and Türkiye. “Nothing’s going to happen.”
Relations between Israel and Türkiye have sharply deteriorated over Israel’s war in Gaza, which Erdogan has repeatedly condemned. Israeli officials argue that selling advanced F-35 jets to Türkiye could threaten Israel’s military superiority, particularly amid tensions over neighboring Syria.
During his first term, Trump approved the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates after Abu Dhabi normalized relations with Israel.
More recently, he has voiced support for potential F-35 sales to Saudi Arabia, despite longstanding U.S. policy aimed at maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge over regional rivals.
Trump also said the United States and Israel do not fully agree on the future of the occupied West Bank but would ultimately reach a decision.
“We have had a discussion, big discussion, for a long time on the West Bank, and I wouldn’t say we agree 100%, but we’ll come to a conclusion,” Trump said when asked whether he had raised concerns with Netanyahu about settler violence.
“It’ll be announced at an appropriate time, but he will do the right thing,” Trump added, gesturing toward Netanyahu.
According to Palestinian figures, Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 1,103 Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since October 2023. Nearly 11,000 people have been injured and around 21,000 detained.
In July, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal and called for the evacuation of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
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