- Turkey has requested Interpol red notices for Benjamin Netanyahu and another Israeli official.
- The move relates to the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters.
- Turkey alleges genocide and other crimes against humanity in the case.
Turkey has sought an international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the interception of an aid flotilla bound for Gaza, accusing him of genocide and other alleged crimes.
Eko Hot Blog Turkey’s Justice Minister, Akin Gurlek, announced the development on Friday, saying his ministry had asked the country’s interior ministry to issue Interpol red notices for Netanyahu and another Israeli national, Afek Moskovitch.
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According to Gurlek, the request followed arrest warrants issued on July 14, 2026, in connection with the interception of activists aboard the flotilla in international waters.
The Turkish authorities accused Netanyahu and Moskovitch of several offences, including crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional assault and battery, torture, destruction of property, aggravated looting and hijacking of transport vehicles.
The case stems from Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid and activists to Gaza. About 50 vessels reportedly participated in the mission, which departed from Turkey in May.
The Israeli military detained the activists in the Mediterranean before taking them to an Israeli prison. They were later expelled.
The interception triggered international condemnation, with France, Italy and Australia also reportedly initiating judicial proceedings over the incident.
Turkey has emerged as one of Israel’s strongest critics over the war in Gaza, which began following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly accused Netanyahu’s government of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
The flotilla controversy intensified after Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, released a video appearing to show him taunting some of the detained activists while they were on their knees with their hands tied behind their backs.
Turkey’s latest move could increase diplomatic pressure on Netanyahu as international legal and political scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in Gaza continues.
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