Israel urges US to sell Turkey only ‘downgraded’ F-35 jets if deal must proceed

Israel has proposed a compromise solution to the Trump administration over the potential sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, suggesting that if the controversial deal must go ahead, the aircraft should be stripped of their most sensitive capabilities. Despite signals from President Trump that he may support the sale, Israeli officials believe there is still an opportunity to block the transaction entirely. The proposal reflects deep concerns in Jerusalem about providing cutting-edge military technology to Ankara, particularly given regional security considerations and ongoing tensions between the two countries. Israel has also made clear that any F-35 sale to Turkey should be conditional on the Turkish government halting financial support to Hamas and Hezbollah, two organisations designated as terrorist groups by Israel and the United States. The condition reflects Israeli allegations that Turkish funding has strengthened both militant organisations, though Turkey has consistently denied providing material support to either group. Israeli officials have been actively engaging with their American counterparts to make the case against the sale, arguing that Turkey’s NATO membership does not guarantee responsible use of the advanced technology. The sale has proven contentious in Washington, with some lawmakers also expressing concern about providing the jets to Turkey given its military operations in Syria and Iraq, as well as its acquisition of Russian air defence systems—a move that prompted the US to remove Turkey from the F-35 programme in 2019.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.