ISTANBUL Aug 21, 2026 — Turkey on Friday requested that Interpol issue a red notice for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of genocide, crimes against humanity and torture linked to Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla earlier this year.
Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced the move on social media, saying domestic arrest warrants had been issued on July 14 against Netanyahu and another Israeli individual identified as Afek Moskovitch. The case forms part of a broader investigation involving 35 Israeli officials over the Israeli navy’s boarding of vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters in May 2026.
According to Turkish authorities, the flotilla of roughly 50 boats carrying more than 400 activists had set sail from Turkey in an attempt to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the vessels off Cyprus, detained the participants and later deported most of them. Ankara alleges the activists were subjected to abuse, including torture, during the operation.
Gürlek stated that Turkey’s Justice Ministry had asked the Interior Ministry to seek the Interpol red notices so the suspects “may be sought internationally.” He added that Turkey would use “all available legal mechanisms” to hold Israel accountable for actions in Gaza.
Interpol red notices are non-binding requests for law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and temporarily detain individuals pending extradition. It remains unclear whether Interpol will issue the notices.
Netanyahu’s office dismissed the Turkish action, describing it as a “pathetic attempt” by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that “will go nowhere.” Israel has long maintained that its interception of the flotilla was a legitimate enforcement of the Gaza blockade and has rejected accusations of genocide or systematic abuse.
The request marks a further escalation in already strained relations between the two countries. Turkey has been one of Israel’s strongest critics over the war in Gaza and had previously issued domestic warrants against Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials.
France, Italy and Australia have also opened separate judicial inquiries related to the same flotilla incident.
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