US Lawmakers Move to Block F-35 Sale to Turkey Over Hamas Ties

American lawmakers are seeking to prevent Turkey from acquiring F-35 fighter jets unless Ankara expels Hamas leaders and halts support for the Palestinian resistance movement, according to a report in Israel’s Maariv daily.

F-35 Deal Under Fire

Turkey has long sought to finalize its purchase of F-35 stealth jets, but the deal faces new hurdles in Washington. Several amendments to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) aim to bar all arms transfers to Turkey, despite the country’s role as a key NATO ally.

The proposal underscores mounting tensions between Washington and Ankara, with negotiations over the F-35 repeatedly stalling and resuming in recent months.

Hamas at the Forefront

While concerns over Turkey’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 air defense system, disputes with Greece, and the Cyprus issue remain on the table, lawmakers are prioritizing Ankara’s ties to Hamas.

Republican Gus Bilirakis and Democrat Brad Schneider introduced an amendment conditioning F-35 sales on a White House certification that Turkey does not “substantially support Hamas or any of its factions.”

The measure also requires confirmation that Ankara poses no military threat to Israel and refrains from military cooperation with Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea—including through drone sales.

Permanent Ban Possible

If passed, the restrictions could permanently block Turkey’s access to the fifth-generation fighter jets, further straining Ankara’s relationship with Washington.

The move also highlights how Middle East politics, US-Israel relations, and NATO security debates are increasingly colliding in Congress, placing Turkey’s defense ambitions in jeopardy.