Turkey slams ‘Netanyahu and his partners in crime’ for ‘disinformation’ on potential F-35 deal with US

Turkey rejects as “disinformation” Israel’s claim that the sale to Ankara of US F-35 fighter jets and components would upset the regional power balance.

Ahead of a NATO summit in Turkey, Ankara’s foreign ministry slams comments made yesterday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The baseless allegations recently circulated by Israeli officials in a coordinated manner and with calculated timing are part of a disinformation campaign,” the ministry says.

“Netanyahu and his partners in crime deliberately distort any criticism directed at them and seek to divert attention through a systematic propaganda effort.”

The sale of the F-35 to Turkey would be seen as an important gesture to Ankara ahead of the pivotal NATO summit, as well as to Erdogan, whom Trump considers a key ally. Aside from Israel, Greece is also opposed to such a sale.

The fighter jet, a top-of-the-line stealth plane, was originally developed by the US in partnership with other NATO countries under a program called the Joint Strike Fighter. However, the US booted Turkey from the development of the F-35 after Erdogan went ahead with purchases of the S-400 missile defense from Russia.

While Israel’s relations with Turkey, which were once the Jewish state’s strongest with any country in the region, have drastically deteriorated following Erdogan’s rise to power, they have been particularly strained since the start of the Gaza war sparked by the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack.