Zionist Organization of America National President Mort Klein on Newsmax Tuesday urged the Trump administration not to move forward with a proposed sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, arguing the country has repeatedly undermined U.S. interests, backed Hamas, and maintained close ties with Russia.

Appearing on "American Agenda," Klein said sending America's most advanced stealth fighter to Ankara would strengthen an unreliable ally while potentially exposing sensitive U.S. military technology to adversaries.

"Look, Turkey is a very dangerous and very bad actor," he said. "They are close to the United States' enemies of Russia, China, and Pakistan. They harbor and finance Hamas."

"Hamas left Qatar, now they're in Turkey. And Turkey finances this terrible anti-American terrorist group," Klein explained.

The comments came after President Donald Trump said he would consider selling F-35s to Turkey. No final decision has been announced, and any deal would face congressional scrutiny and legal hurdles.

Klein also accused Turkey of supporting anti-Christian violence in the region and of abandoning the United States during a critical military campaign.

"In addition, Turkey has backed the slaughter of Christians by Syria," he said. "And during the Iran war, they closed their airspaces to us, their bases, their water to the United States."

Klein argued that beyond the geopolitical concerns, U.S. law presents another obstacle to any transfer of the fifth-generation fighter.

"According to Secretary of State [Marco] Rubio, who testified on June 4 to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, it is illegal to sell F-35s to Turkey because our laws say if you do significant business with Russia, you can't sell it to them," he said, referring to Turkey's purchase of S-400 missile defense systems from Russia.

"So it is illegal," Klein continued. "President Trump has to go through all sorts of hoops and have Congress approve any possible change in this law before he can sell it."

He suggested Trump's willingness to consider the sale may have been influenced by recent praise from Turkish leaders.

"I think, because the head of Turkey has made complimentary statements to Trump, I think he's been bamboozled by this and feels very good about that," Klein said.

The ZOA president also accused Turkish leaders of inflaming tensions against Israel while threatening other U.S. allies.

"The Foreign Minister of Turkey … and the Prime Minister … have both incited genocide against the Jews of Israel," Klein said. "They've essentially called for Israel's destruction and also have threatened Greece. These are our allies."

He concluded by warning that transferring F-35s to Turkey could have consequences far beyond the bilateral relationship.

"This is a terrible mistake to sell these F-35 jet planes to Turkey, which, by the way, will also allow China and Russia to learn our secrets of the F-35s if Turkey allows them to, which they may well," Klein said. "They're very close to them."

"This just doesn't make any sense at all," he added.

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