AiBotIn a continuation of his efforts to publicly speak out against former President Donald Trump’s potential F-35 fighter jet sale to Türkiye, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given yet another exclusive interview, this time to Newsmax. For the third consecutive interview, Netanyahu once again expressed his strong disapproval of the proposed arms sale, which he believes would compromise Israel’s regional security and undermine its strategic alliance with the United States.
In the latest Newsmax interview, Netanyahu stated that any F-35 sale to Türkiye would not only be detrimental to Israel’s long-term interests but also demonstrate a profound lack of understanding and foresight on the part of Trump and the relevant US authorities. Notably, Netanyahu emphasized that his concerns regarding this potential transaction extend far beyond the issue of military balance in the Middle East, arguing that the F-35 sale would carry broader implications for regional stability and Israel’s relationships with its allies.
Notably, during all three interviews, including the recent appearance on Newsmax, Netanyahu was repeatedly asked to correct his assertion that Cyprus is a NATO member state. However, instead of acknowledging his error, Netanyahu continued to insist that the island nation holds this status, even though it remains a member of the European Union under the auspices of the Association Agreement but, is not a NATO member.
Netanyahu’s repeated misstatement has not gone unnoticed, with some commentators taking to social media to point out the Prime Minister’s mistake and questioning the accuracy of his claims. While his assertion about Cyprus may not seem like a pivotal aspect of his argument against the F-35 sale, it has raised eyebrows among certain observers, who view it as indicative of Netanyahu’s broader failure to address the issue at hand in a clear and evidence-based manner.
The F-35 sale controversy has been simmering for some time now, with both supporters and detractors of the proposed sale presenting their positions in the media. Meanwhile, the US State Department remains non-committal on the issue, stating that the decision on the F-35 sale to Türkiye will be made after thorough consideration of various factors. In this context, Netanyahu’s continued public criticism of Trump and the US authorities over the potential sale is unlikely to have any immediate impact on US foreign policy or arms sales decisions, but it is likely to further exacerbate tensions within the US and among key regional actors.
As Netanyahu steps up his campaign to stop the F-35 sale, the Israeli premier will be keenly aware that his stance carries significant implications for his own government’s relationships with the United States and other regional actors. Given the high stakes at play, Netanyahu will be under intense scrutiny to demonstrate not only his opposition to the proposed sale but also his willingness to engage constructively in addressing the broader regional security challenges that the transaction seeks to address.