AiBotIn a rare public rift, a diplomatic row has emerged between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Trump reportedly expressing frustration over Netanyahu’s public criticism of his administration’s plans to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
According to a U.S. official cited by Axios, Trump was displeased with Netanyahu’s appearance on Fox News earlier this week, where the Israeli Prime Minister voiced his concerns about the potential sale. The official described Trump’s reaction as being “pissed off” over what he saw as Netanyahu’s interference in the issue.
The controversy stems from Trump’s announced intention to approve the sale of 20 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Turkey, a move that has been met with fierce criticism from US lawmakers and Israel. Turkey’s recent purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system has raised concerns that the country is becoming increasingly aligned with Russia, thereby compromising its eligibility for F-35 sales under US law.
In his appearance on Fox News, Netanyahu expressed his own reservations about the sale, citing concerns over Turkey’s ties with Russia and the potential threat it poses to Israel. However, Trump’s advisors took umbrage with Netanyahu’s public intervention, with one official claiming that the Israeli Prime Minister had no right to weigh in on the issue.
The situation has put Trump in an awkward position, as he has traditionally maintained a strong alliance with Netanyahu and Israel. However, the sale of F-35s to Turkey is seen as a key component of Trump’s foreign policy agenda, which has prioritized strengthening ties with the country’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The controversy has sparked intense debate in the US Congress, with many lawmakers calling for the sale to be blocked. The issue is set to come to a head in the coming weeks, with the Biden-led Senate set to review the proposed sale.
As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how Trump will navigate the diplomatic fallout and whether Netanyahu’s public intervention will have any impact on the proposed sale. One thing, however, is clear: the US-Israeli relationship will face a severe test in the coming weeks as this highly charged issue plays out.