U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to deal with Israel regarding a potential U.S. sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, but he will not meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as originally planned, according to multiple reports. An initial Reuters report said Hegseth would discuss the possible F-35 sale with Netanyahu on Wednesday, with additional meetings also planned with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, and that Iran would be part of the broader discussions. A later Reuters report, cited by Israeli and other outlets, says Hegseth cancels the Netanyahu meeting that had been scheduled for Wednesday. An Israeli source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said the discussion would have included both the potential Turkey deal and Iran, and that Hegseth still had been set to meet Katz during a trip to Israel. Other reporting frames the cancellation as part of shifting U.S. defense posture toward Ankara and notes that Netanyahu has previously opposed arming Turkey, citing concerns about regional stability. Turkey is described as a NATO member and as having criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
Hegseth cancels Netanyahu meeting over potential F-35 sale to Turkey
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to deal with Israel regarding a potential U.S. sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, but he will not meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as o...
- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discusses, or was set to discuss, a possible U.S. sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey with Israeli officials.
- Reuters reports the planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Wednesday was canceled.
- Reuters reports Hegseth was also scheduled to meet Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, with Iran expected to be part of the discussions.
- Israeli officials are likely to oppose any F-35 sale to Turkey, citing concerns about regional stability.
- Turkey is described in reporting as a NATO member and has criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has abruptly canceled a planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which was set to focus on the proposed sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. This shift in Washington's defense strategy regarding Ankara has raised alarms in Israel, especially since Netanyahu has voiced strong opposition to arming Turkey, citing concerns about maintaining regional stability. The U.S.
2 hours agoBy Emily RoseJERUSALEM, July 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will discuss the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, a sale likely to anger Israeli officials.The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Hegseth was also scheduled to meet Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and that Iran would feature in their discussions.
4 hours agoBy Emily RoseJERUSALEM, July 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth canceled a meeting that had been scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an Israeli source told Reuters. Any such sale would likely anger Israeli officials. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Hegseth had also been scheduled to meet Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on a trip to Israel and that Iran would feature in their discussions.
4 hours agoTurkey, a NATO member, has long criticised Israeli operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria
8 hours ago
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