Donald Trump has suggested Turkey deserves credit for not joining military action against Israel, whilst stopping short of ruling out the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Ankara during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The US president praised Turkey’s military capabilities and expressed his respect for Erdoğan, despite the Turkish leader’s repeated criticism of Israel over its military operations in Gaza and beyond.
Trump’s comments came as Erdoğan claimed that Turkey had already been promised delivery of five F-35 aircraft and expressed hopes that this commitment would be honoured. The potential sale of the advanced fighter jets has long been contentious, with concerns raised in Washington and among US allies about transferring such sophisticated military technology to Turkey, which is a NATO member but has faced criticism over its human rights record and regional policies.
The remarks represent a diplomatic balancing act by the Trump administration, attempting to maintain strong relations with Turkey—a strategically important NATO ally—whilst preserving support for Israel. Turkey has been a vocal critic of Israeli military operations, particularly in Gaza, yet the country has also been seen as relatively restrained compared to some regional actors in the broader conflict dynamics.
The F-35 sale would require approval from the US Congress and represents a significant decision given the advanced nature of the aircraft. Turkey has sought these jets for years as part of its military modernisation efforts, though previous administrations have been cautious about the sale due to geopolitical sensitivities and concerns over security protocols.
Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.
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