Netanyahu denies Trump rift and opposes Turkiye jet deal
Israel’s prime minister told Fox News he and Trump can resolve disputes, while saying he would lobby against F-35 transfers to Ankara.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his relationship with US President Donald Trump is sound, rejecting reports of friction over Iran diplomacy and Israeli operations in Lebanon. In a Fox News interview on Monday, Netanyahu also said he would press Washington not to transfer F-35 fighter jets or related engines to Turkiye.
The comments came as Netanyahu sought to show close alignment with Trump while parts of Israel’s government have criticized a US-Iran memorandum of understanding that calls for a regional ceasefire, including in Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera. Netanyahu said the United States and Israel may disagree at times but remain close partners.
“My relationship with the president is fine, and we have a way of ironing out our differences as allies who respect each other,” Netanyahu told Fox News. He said he and Trump agree on “just about everything” and praised the United States as a force for democracy and freedom.
Lebanon ceasefire tensions
Al Jazeera reported that the US-Iran memorandum has drawn criticism from some members of Israel’s cabinet. The agreement seeks to support a broader regional ceasefire, including in Lebanon.
Israel has not withdrawn from Lebanon and says it retains the right to strike inside the country in response to what it calls threats, according to Al Jazeera. The network reported that an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Monday killed four civilians, among them a teacher.
Netanyahu confirmed that he expects to travel to the United States soon, though he said no date has been fixed. Trump had previously suggested Netanyahu could visit as early as next week, according to Al Jazeera.
Netanyahu singles out Ankara
Asked about the agenda for his expected US trip, Netanyahu said he would argue against providing F-35 aircraft to Turkiye. Turkiye is a NATO member and a US ally, but its government has been a sharp critic of Israel’s war in Gaza.
“I don’t think they should be given F-35s or the engines for their fighter jets because that’ll upset the power balance in the Middle East,” Netanyahu told Fox News. He said that balance depends on Israeli air superiority and the US military posture in the region.
Netanyahu contrasted Israel’s role with Turkiye’s, telling the Fox News audience: “They didn’t lift a finger to help you in Iran. We did.” He also described Israel as a “model ally” that had fought alongside US soldiers.
Al Jazeera reported that Trump is due to visit Ankara later this week for a NATO summit. The timing places Netanyahu’s criticism of Turkiye ahead of direct US engagement with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Israeli commentators and politicians have increasingly described Turkiye as a regional rival after Iran, according to Al Jazeera. The network also noted that Netanyahu has urged US action against Iran for decades and that the US-Israel war with Iran, which began on February 28, has been unpopular with American voters.
Erdogan warned on Saturday that Israel was trying to undermine the US-Iran deal, Al Jazeera reported. “We are closely following the Israeli administration’s attempts to dynamite the deal,” Erdogan said, adding that Israel’s government should not be allowed to pull the region back into war.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.