Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
Despite Senate Opposition, Turkey Still to Receive F-35s
Error: Contact form not found.
by JNS.org
A Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft is seen at the ILA Air Show in Berlin, Germany, April 25, 2018. Photo: REUTERS/Axel Schmidt/File Photo.
JNS.org – Despite the US Senate voting overwhelmingly to block the sale of the advance F-35 fighter jet, Turkey is still set to receive the jet this week at a ceremony in Texas.
“Lockheed Martin will hold a rollout ceremony for Turkey this Thursday in Fort Worth, and the two jets will follow-on to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona at a later date,” said Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Andrews, reported CNN.
“Turkish F-35 pilots and maintainers have arrived at Luke Air Force Base and will begin flight academics soon,” he added.
A bipartisan amendment to the $717 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was passed on Monday by the Senate in an 85-10 vote, prohibits the transfer of the F-35s to Turkey amid a deterioration in US-Turkish relations.
The Senate version of the bill expressed concern over Turkey’s planned purchase of the S-400 anti-aircraft system as well as the detention of US Pastor Andrew Brunson. Additionally, many lawmakers had also been concerned about Turkey’s growing hostility towards Israel.
Last month, the House of Representatives also included an amendment blocking the sale to Turkey when they passed the NDAA. Both the House and Senate versions still need to be reconciled, voted on again and then signed by President Donald Trump.
Following the Senate vote, Turkey blasted the move to block the sale, calling it an “unfortunate development.”
“Turkey is not without alternatives. Such attempts are regrettable and goes against the soul of strategic partnership,” Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said, Hurriyet Daily News reported.
From its inception in the 1990s, the F-35 was touted as a next-generation fighter plane for the 21st century that would replace the workhorse F-16, F-15 and other older fighter aircraft. A NATO member, Turkey is one of the original partners for the F-35 program, which also includes United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, as well as Israel and Singapore later signing on.
