Trump reportedly furious over Netanyahu's criticism of Türkiye F-35 deal

President Donald Trump expressed frustration over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's public criticism of the U.S. plan to sell F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye, according to reports from multiple news outlets. The dispute emerged ahead of Trump’s recent visit to Ankara, where he engaged in discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During these talks, Trump stated that Washington would lift sanctions on Türkiye and hinted at approving the sale of the advanced combat jets, marking a significant shift in U.S.-Türkiye relations. This decision aligns with Trump’s longstanding praise for Erdoğan, whom he views as a key ally within NATO. Netanyahu’s objections to the F-35 deal surfaced prior to Trump’s departure for Turkey. During a Fox News interview, Trump reportedly became "p***** off" by the Israeli leader’s comments, which were relayed by a White House official. Another official told Axios that Trump believed Netanyahu had "no right" to interfere in the matter. The disagreement highlights the tension between Israel and Türkiye, particularly regarding military procurement and strategic alliances. Netanyahu has consistently criticized Türkiye’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system, arguing that it undermines U.S. interests and compromises NATO interoperability. The F-35 controversy dates back to 2019, when the U.S. suspended Türkiye from the joint production program following its purchase of the S-400 systems. At the time, Washington cited concerns that the Russian technology could jeopardize the stealth capabilities of the F-35 jets and pose a risk to NATO security. Türkiye rejected these claims, asserting that the S-400 does not conflict with the F-35 and that its participation in the program was lawful. Despite repeated appeals, Türkiye has not regained access to the program, though it continues to seek compensation for the jets it had already purchased. Recent reports suggest that Türkiye is actively working on the S-400 systems, with the Turkish Defense Ministry stating that "multilateral work" on the systems is ongoing. Officials noted that the public would be informed once "concrete steps" were taken. These developments come amid heightened scrutiny of Türkiye’s foreign policy, especially its vocal opposition to Israeli actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Ankara has also accused Israel of undermining the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, further complicating its relationship with both Washington and Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has been attempting to secure a meeting with Trump for several weeks. He has visited the Oval Office six times since Trump resumed his presidency in January 2025. Israeli media initially reported that Netanyahu intended to travel to Washington this weekend to attend the funeral of late Senator Lindsey Graham and meet Trump on Monday. However, the trip was canceled after Graham’s funeral service was postponed. According to Netanyahu’s office, no formal meeting had been arranged, despite repeated requests. One White House official remarked that Netanyahu appeared to be "trying to will a meeting into existence." Tensions between the Trump administration and Netanyahu’s government have escalated, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict with Iran. U.S. Vice President JD Vance recently suggested that some Israeli officials might be obstructing diplomatic efforts with Tehran, potentially aiming to extend the military campaign. These accusations underscore the complex dynamics at play, as Israel seeks to balance its strategic relationships with both the U.S. and Türkiye. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on how the Trump administration navigates these competing interests, balancing its alliance with Türkiye against its commitments to Israel. The outcome of these deliberations will likely shape the future of U.S. defense partnerships in the Middle East.