In Fox News interview, Israeli prime minister lauds US alliance and argues that Ankara should not receive F-35 jets.
Published On 6 Jul 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump remains “fine,” pushing back against suggestions of a rift stemming from the ceasefire with Iran and Israeli military actions in Lebanon.
During a Monday interview with Fox News, Netanyahu offered strong praise for the United States and Trump.
“America has been a tremendous force for good, and without America, there won’t be any democracy in the world, and there won’t be any freedom in the world,” he said.
The Israeli leader added that he and Trump are aligned on “just about everything.”
His remarks follow criticism from some Israeli cabinet members regarding a U.S.–Iran understanding that calls for a regional ceasefire, including in Lebanon.
Israel has declined to withdraw from Lebanon, maintaining that it retains the right to strike the country at any time in response to perceived “threats.” An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Monday killed four civilians, among them a teacher.
Netanyahu acknowledged that disagreements between the U.S. and Israel can occur but described the two nations as “model allies.”
“My relationship with the president is fine, and we have a way of ironing out our differences as allies who respect each other,” he said.
The prime minister confirmed he will soon visit the US again, but said no date has been set for the trip.
Asked about his priorities for the visit, Netanyahu turned his criticism toward Turkey, saying he would lobby against the transfer of F-35 jets to Ankara.
“I don’t think they should be given F-35s or the engines for their fighter jets because that’ll upset the power balance in the Middle East, which is ultimately guaranteed by Israeli air superiority, and also by, I think, by America’s posture in the Middle East,” he said.
Turkey, a NATO ally of the U.S., has been a vocal critic of Israel’s war in Gaza.
Trump is scheduled to visit Ankara later this week for a NATO summit.
Netanyahu sought to contrast Israel with Turkey.
“They didn’t lift a finger to help you in Iran. We did,” he told Fox News, a conservative U.S. network with a largely pro-Trump audience. “We’re the model ally that fought next to your great soldiers.”
Netanyahu has urged U.S. military action against Iran for years, a stance that contributed to the outbreak of the U.S.–Israel war on Iran on February 28, which proved deeply unpopular among American voters.
Several Israeli commentators and politicians have intensified rhetoric against Turkey, framing it as the next regional rival and potential focus after Iran.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Saturday against Israeli efforts to weaken the U.S.–Iran agreement.
“We are closely following the Israeli administration’s attempts to dynamite the deal,” he said. “The current war-addicted Israeli government must not be allowed to drown our geography in the smell of gunpowder and blood again.”
