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Netanyahu: “Erdogan must not acquire weapons

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mocked Turkey's bid for F-35 fighter jets, suggesting Ankara should build its own weapons as he travels to the U.S. this weekend.

Eleni Papadaki-Van Der Merwe Staff Writer

JULY 15, 2026 AT 10:30 PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in an interview, according to Pentapostagma, that he does not consider the provision of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey appropriate, as Ankara is capable of developing its own weapons systems on its own.

Israel’s Position on the F-35 and Strategic Stability

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker characterizes as feasible the possibility of an agreement between Washington and Ankara regarding the provision of F-35s, while emphasizing that the law prohibiting cooperation with countries that possess the S-400 system remains in effect.

Netanyahu and the Middle East

Netanyahu stressed that Israel is the only pillar of stability in the Middle East, preventing extremist Islamist forces from conquering the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, and Egypt.

Regarding the potential provision of military equipment to Turkey, the Israeli Prime Minister follows a cautious stance, taking into account regional factors.

Upcoming Visit to the U.S.

Netanyahu is set to travel to the United States on Saturday, as announced by a senior Israeli official.

The purpose of the visit is to participate in memorial events for the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on Saturday.

Although Netanyahu wished to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, it is not certain whether such a meeting will take place, the American official explained.

Source: Pentapostagma

Eleni Papadaki-Van Der Merwe

She was born in 1986 in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is the granddaughter of an immigrant from Crete who settled in the Greek community of Johannesburg (one of the largest in Africa). She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg and a master’s degree in Journalism from Rhodes University in Grahamstown. She began her career at English-language media outlets in Johannesburg, covering politics and economics, with a focus on issues related to migration and the diaspora. She moved to Athens in 2015 to “return to her roots,” initially to pursue graduate studies, and has remained there permanently. She is married to an Afrikaner; they have two children and live in the southern suburbs of Athens.