ISTANBUL, Turkey — Turkey said Friday it will seek an Interpol red notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after issuing domestic arrest warrants in a criminal case linked to Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla in international waters.
- Turkey plans to request Interpol red notices for Benjamin Netanyahu and another suspect.
- The domestic case involves 35 people and concerns Israel’s interception of vessels carrying humanitarian aid toward Gaza.
- Turkish authorities cite allegations including genocide, crimes against humanity and torture.
- Netanyahu’s office dismissed the move as a “pathetic” attempt that would not succeed.
Turkey seeks Interpol notice for Netanyahu
Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said arrest warrants had been issued for Netanyahu and another suspect as part of the case. He said the Justice Ministry had asked the Interior Ministry to seek Interpol red notices so the individuals could be located internationally.
A red notice is an international request asking law enforcement authorities to locate and provisionally arrest a person while extradition or another legal process is considered. The notice itself is not an international arrest warrant, and Interpol reviews requests from member countries before deciding whether to issue one.
Gurlek said Turkey intended to use available legal mechanisms in its effort to hold Israel accountable for what Ankara describes as crimes committed in Gaza.
Case linked to Gaza humanitarian flotilla
The Turkish case concerns the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid. According to the information provided, Israeli forces opened fire on at least two vessels in May as the flotilla made another attempt to deliver assistance to the enclave.
The vessels were sailing in international waters when the incident occurred, according to the Turkish account cited in the case. Earlier missions involving the flotilla had also been intercepted by Israel.
The domestic investigation covers 35 people. Turkish authorities have included allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity and torture among the charges associated with the arrest warrants.
Israel rejects the accusations made against it. The dispute over the flotilla is part of a much broader disagreement between Ankara and Jerusalem over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the treatment of Palestinians.
Netanyahu’s office rejects Turkey’s move
Netanyahu’s office responded sharply after Gurlek announced the planned Interpol request. It described Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s action as an attempt to intimidate Israeli leaders and soldiers and said the effort would not succeed.
The response reflects the continuing hostility between the governments of Turkey and Israel. Ankara has been among Israel’s strongest critics over the Gaza conflict, while Israel has rejected Turkish accusations concerning its conduct during the war.
Turkey has previously issued domestic arrest warrants for Netanyahu in connection with the Gaza war. The latest case adds a separate legal action connected to the interception of humanitarian vessels in international waters.
Turkey and Israel clash over Syria
The dispute comes as Turkey and Israel are also exchanging criticism over developments in Syria. Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on a Syrian air base that Israel said could potentially host Turkish troops.
Ankara condemned the strikes, while the United States also criticized the Israeli action. Syria, however, has said there were no plans for Turkish troops to be deployed at the base.
Turkey’s growing influence in Syria has become an additional source of concern for Israel. Ankara is an ally of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who removed longtime leader Bashar al-Assad from power in 2024.
Regional tensions add to legal dispute
The disagreement over the Gaza flotilla therefore comes against a backdrop of increasingly complicated relations between Turkey and Israel. Ankara has repeatedly called for international action against Israel over what it considers violations of human rights and international law.
Israel disputes those allegations and has pushed back against Turkey’s criticism. The latest move involving Interpol is likely to add another layer to the diplomatic confrontation.
For now, Turkey has announced its intention to request red notices, but any such request must go through Interpol’s review process. The organization will determine whether the requests meet its rules before deciding whether notices should be issued.
Praveen Yadav is the Founder and Content Creator of The Nation Bulletin, an independent digital news platform focused on delivering timely, reliable and meaningful news from India and around the world.
