Loyalty to Israel: Who is panicked by the mere mention of F-35s? | Daily Sabah

U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion of lifting sanctions and providing F-35s to Türkiye during his NATO summit visit sparked strong reactions from Israel, Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration, and pro-Zionist lobbies in the U.S. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly opposed the sale, stating it would "destroy the power balance in the Middle East" and emphasizing the importance of maintaining Israel's air superiority. Various U.S. congressional members, including Representative Dina Titus, introduced legislation and wrote letters to block the sale, citing Türkiye's "aggressive" posture towards Greece and Cyprus, support for Azerbaijan, and anti-Israel stance. These efforts were largely attributed to funding and influence from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and similar pro-Israel organizations. Former Vice President Mike Pence and numerous other figures also voiced opposition, arguing the sale would undermine Israel's security and regional stability. The Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) published an article opposing the F-35 transfer, citing Türkiye's anti-Israel stance and the goal of securing Israel's military superiority. Critics also expressed concerns about Türkiye's alleged Islamist agenda and potential misuse of the F-35s against U.S. allies.