Istanbul: Turkey said Friday it is seeking an international arrest warrant from Interpol for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of a domestic criminal case over Israel's interception and detention of dozens of activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip in May. In response, Netanyahu's office called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan an "anti-Semitic dictator" and vowed to "act forcefully against Turkey's attempts to destabilize the region".
According to France24.com, Turkey announced it would seek an Interpol red notice for the arrest of Netanyahu linked to an attack on activists delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. NATO member Turkey has been one of the fiercest critics of Israel's actions in Gaza and has previously issued domestic arrest warrants for Netanyahu over the conflict there. It has repeatedly called for international measures against Israel over what Ankara describes as violations of human rights and international law. Israel denies those charges.
In May, Israeli forces opened fire on at least two vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to deliver aid to Gaza after previous missions were intercepted by Israel in international waters. About 50 vessels were part of the flotilla that departed from Turkey, aiming to reach the besieged Palestinian territory. The activists were detained by the Israeli military in the Mediterranean, taken to an Israeli prison, and later expelled. Several activists accused Israeli security forces of physical or sexual violence during their detention.
Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, sparked outrage by releasing a video showing himself taunting flotilla activists who were on their knees with their hands tied behind their backs. France, Italy, and Australia have also launched judicial proceedings related to Israel's detention of the activists.
In a post on X, Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek stated that arrest warrants had been issued for Netanyahu and another Israeli, Afek Moskovitch, on charges including genocide, crimes against humanity, and torture, as part of a case against 35 people linked to the Israeli interception in international waters. "In line with the arrest warrants issued against Benjamin Netanyahu ... our justice ministry has requested that the interior ministry issue (Interpol) red notices for them so that they may be sought internationally," Gurlek said.
According to Turkey's IHA news agency, Moskovitch is an Israeli soldier accused of actions in Gaza. IHA, citing the indictment, reported that Moskovitch had posted footage on Instagram showing tanks and a bulldozer destroying buildings at the Islamic University of Gaza, including a hospital and medical faculty. Turkey intends to use all available legal mechanisms to ensure Israel is held accountable for its actions in Gaza.
A red notice is a request to police forces worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. Interpol reviews requests submitted by member states before deciding whether to issue red notices.
When asked about Gurlek's statement, Netanyahu's office responded: "(Turkish President Tayyip) Erdogan's pathetic attempt to intimidate the leaders and soldiers of Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East, will go nowhere." The prime minister's office also accused Erdogan of being an "anti-Semitic dictator."
A statement from the Turkish president's office denounced Netanyahu's "petty political tactics," criticizing the Israeli government's effort "to present Turkey as a new threat." Turkey and Israel also exchanged barbs this week over Syria, where Israel conducted air strikes on an airbase it claimed could house Turkish troops, drawing condemnation from Ankara and criticism from the United States. Syria has stated there were no plans to deploy Turkish troops to the base.
Turkey's influence in Syria as an ally of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has raised concerns in Israel since Sharaa toppled veteran leader Bashar al-Assad in 2024. Ankara has claimed that Israeli rhetoric against Turkey and its actions in Syria are motivated by the upcoming parliamentary election in Israel in October.