Israel, Greece harden opposition to potential U.S. F-35 sale to Türkiye
Israel and Greece have hardened their opposition to a potential U.S. sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that he was considering reinstating Ankara into the program.
Trump said this week that Washington was evaluating the possibility of allowing Türkiye back into the F-35 program despite its removal in 2019 over the purchase of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, reviving a debate that has drawn concern from both Israel and Greece.
According to Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth daily, the Israeli security cabinet received a briefing during its July 7 meeting on the ongoing discussions between Washington and Ankara over the F-35 program.
The report said Israel, which has long lobbied against supplying the fifth-generation fighter jets to Türkiye, is now seeking, should it fail to block the sale altogether, to ensure that Ankara would receive a downgraded version of the aircraft with reduced capabilities.
