Israel is positioning advanced defense technology as a hard constraint on any potential U.S. decision to sell F-35 strike fighters to Türkiye. 

Speaking to Kathimerini on Jan. 5, 2026, Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel made clear that Israeli-origin systems embedded in the aircraft form a non-negotiable barrier. 

“We have our reservations [regarding a possible sale],” Haskel said, adding that “a lot of the technology inside the airplane is technology produced by Israel.” 

She stressed that this technology is “not something that we will share with them.”

The F-35 is a multinational fifth-generation fighter program led by the United States, but it incorporates subsystems and technologies developed by partner countries, including Israel. 

Haskel said Israeli technology would not be transferred to Türkiye “even if they do get those airplanes,” underscoring the limits of U.S. discretion when allied intellectual property is involved.

Israel’s intervention follows comments by U.S. President Donald Trump that he is “very seriously considering” an agreement to sell the F-35s to Türkiye. 

Haskel said Israel is “concerned” by those statements. The timing is notable.

Kathimerini conducted the interview a day after talks between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago ended last week, highlighting the issue’s elevation to the highest political level.

Türkiye was once slated to be involved in the production of the F-35. 

That role ended after Ankara acquired the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, a move that triggered U.S. sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Türkiye’s removal from the program marked a significant rupture in defense cooperation and remains a key reference point in today’s debate.

Relations between Israel and Türkiye are described as likely “at their lowest ever,” with both countries viewing each other as their main rival in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. 

By contrast, Israel’s defense relationship with Greece is described as having “never been closer.” 

Cooperation spans energy and security, and Greece is buying Israeli weapons systems. 

Haskel emphasized that “the cooperation between Greece and Israel on defense mechanisms is extremely important and can contribute a lot to the security and safety in the future,” drawing an implicit comparison between trusted and contested partners.