U.S. Congress Conditions Turkey Arms Sales on Ending Hamas Ties

Date: 08 September 2025 - 21:48

News ID: ۱۴۳۳۰۷

WASHINGTON (Dispatches) – U.S. lawmakers are pushing to block Turkey from purchasing F-35 fighter jets unless Ankara expels Hamas leaders and ends its support for the Palestinian resistance, according to a report from the Hebrew daily Maariv.
The move comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Ankara, despite Turkey’s longstanding NATO membership and its efforts to finalize a deal for the advanced jets.
Several amendments to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) could effectively ban all arms transfers to Turkey.
Key concerns raised by lawmakers include Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system, alleged violations of Greek airspace, disputes over Northern Cyprus, and most notably, Ankara’s alleged ties with Hamas.
A bipartisan amendment, introduced by Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis and Democrat Rep. Brad Schneider, would prohibit the sale of F-35 jets to Turkey unless the White House certifies that Ankara is not materially supporting Hamas or any of its factions.
The legislation also demands certification that Turkey poses no military threat to Israel and does not engage in military cooperation with U.S. adversaries such as Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea, including in the sale or use of drones.
Beyond arms sales, another amendment requires the State, Defense, and Treasury departments to jointly investigate whether Turkey is harboring Hamas members or financial assets and allowing Hamas officials to operate from Turkish soil.
The report, to be submitted within 180 days, would evaluate security risks posed to the U.S. and its allies, the activities of groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Turkey’s responses to terrorism threats.
Additional amendments target Turkey’s military presence in northern Cyprus and its regional activities.
Sponsored by Representatives Dan Goldman and Josh Gottheimer, these proposals demand that Ankara cease violations of Greek and Cypriot airspace and avoid defense cooperation with U.S. rivals.
They also require Turkey to disclose all U.S.-origin military systems used in Turkish Cyprus, with restrictions remaining in place for five years unless conditions are met.
Turkey was expelled from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russia’s S-400 system, with Congress insisting on stringent conditions for readmission. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also lobbied against any F-35 transfers to Turkey, citing security concerns.
However, the Trump administration has taken a more lenient stance. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack recently described Ankara as “amazingly cooperative,” highlighting Turkey’s role as a diplomatic backchannel to Hamas alongside Qatar in ongoing negotiations.