Following Friday’s phone call between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, in which they agreed to meet soon in the U.S., sources close to the prime minister say Netanyahu is expected to fly to the White House as early as next week for what will be the eighth meeting between the two leaders since Trump returned to office—far more than any other world leader.
4+The meeting comes as an Israeli delegation is set to arrive soon to coordinate on Iran’s nuclear program. The delegation and the prime minister are not expected to overlap in the United States, but Iran’s nuclear program and other regional issues will be on the table during the meeting.
Another issue expected to get significant attention is Turkey. Israeli political and military officials are deeply concerned about Trump’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the possibility that Turkey could acquire F-35 fighter jets in some configuration. The prime minister is therefore expected to emphasize this issue in his meeting with Trump.
4+Israeli and American teams will finalize the exact schedule for the visit after the U.S. celebrates its 250th Independence Day. But as mentioned, sources close to the prime minister estimate Netanyahu will fly to the U.S. as early as next week.
The U.S. president’s visit to Turkey will follow the 36th NATO summit, set to take place in Ankara next Tuesday. According to the Associated Press, Trump hinted that his visit to Ankara could include a significant announcement for Erdoğan. When asked if he would arrive in Turkey with “a big bag of gifts”—against the backdrop of Ankara’s request to purchase F-110 engines and F-35 jets—he replied: “Yes, I think so. I’ll probably do something that will make him very happy.”
4+Turkey was kicked out of the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russia’s S-400 air defense system. Washington feared that operating the Russian system alongside the stealth fighters would allow Moscow to collect sensitive intelligence on their capabilities. Despite this, the Trump administration is now exploring ways to renew security cooperation with Ankara, while simultaneously advancing a deal to sell F-110 engines for Turkey’s KAAN fighter jet.
According to the AP, the close personal relationship between Trump and Erdoğan is one of the main factors behind the renewed warming between Washington and Ankara. Trump said last week he would go to Turkey “out of respect for President Erdoğan,” and has previously called him an “exceptional leader” and a “good friend.”
4+Even before the Ankara meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made a sharply antisemitic statement against Israel last week. In an interview with CNN Türk, Fidan claimed Israel has become an unbearable burden that humanity cannot bear, and defined it as a problem for the entire world. According to him, Israel is trying to create a new enemy for itself to change its destructive image, which has been condemned by the international community, and added that Ankara will not shy away from confrontation with it.
Fidan continued his tirade, claiming that around the world—from university campuses to intellectual platforms—massive opposition to Israel has formed. He accused Israel of committing a massacre in plain sight and destabilizing the region, and claimed that in the past it managed to hide this through simple media maneuvers, but now it is failing to do so. The Turkish foreign minister emphasized that his country will not fear or retreat from any confrontation, and that clashing with Turkey’s national interests does not deter them at all.
4+Fidan’s statements illustrate the danger that could arise if President Trump decides to give the Turks one of the most powerful aircraft available. The Turks continue their aggressive line against Israel, with Erdoğan even threatening a military invasion several months ago.