US Congressman Joe Wilson Urges Israel to End Airstrikes on Syria Republican Rep. Joe Wilson says Israeli airstrikes on Syria shouldn't be done, backs Trump envoy Tom Barrack and supports US-Türkiye defense ties including F-35 return. US Republican Representative Joe Wilson called on Monday for Israel to end its airstrikes on Syria, stating they should not be done, during an interview with Anadolu on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The congressman from South Carolina expressed gratitude that President Donald Trump's envoy, Tom Barrack, has opposed the strikes. Congressman Opposes Israeli AirstrikesWilson said he appreciates the leadership of President Trump, who at the request of Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, is giving Syria a chance. He emphasized that Syria will succeed and that this would benefit every country in the Middle East.When asked if he was calling on the Israeli government to end the strikes on Syria, Wilson responded absolutely. He also highlighted the importance of the liberation of Syria, referring to the collapse of Bashar al Assad's regime in late 2024, for regional countries including Iran and Lebanon.Barrack, the US special envoy for Syria and Iraq who also serves as ambassador to Türkiye, said in August that Washington was deeply concerned over Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur Airbase in northern Syria, calling them an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability.US-Türkiye Defense Ties and F-35 SupportWilson, who co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on US-Türkiye Relations and Turkish Americans, underscored the deep ties between Washington and Ankara, pointing to their cooperation since the Korean War. He expressed gratitude that Türkiye led efforts for the liberation of Syria, which now has an opportunity for stability, peace, and prosperity that will benefit the entire Middle East, particularly Türkiye.On efforts by Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to address the dispute over Türkiye's purchase of Russia's S-400 air defense system and Ankara's possible return to the F-35 fighter jet program, Wilson said he was hopeful. He supported US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth working with Türkiye, adding that cooperation would contribute to peace through strength.Wilson affirmed his support for the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye and for removing sanctions imposed under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). He stressed that Türkiye is a great ally of America and vice versa, emphasizing mutual benefit.Background on F-35 and CAATSA SanctionsThe US suspended Türkiye from the F-35 fighter jet program in 2019 after objecting to its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, claiming the system would endanger the fighter jets and is inoperable with NATO systems. Türkiye has repeatedly said there is no conflict between the two and proposed a commission to study the issue.During his meeting with Turkish President Erdogan in Türkiye in July on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Trump said he would certainly consider allowing Ankara to buy F-35 fighter jets and wants to remove the CAATSA sanctions on the country.