Turkey Seeks Netanyahu Arrest Warrant, Accuses Him of 'Genocide'

Turkey seeks an international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of genocide linked to the interception of an aid flotilla bound for Gaza.

Turkey's Justice Minister Akin Gurlek stated on X on Friday that his ministry requested the interior ministry issue Interpol Red Notices for Netanyahu and another suspect, Afek Moskovitch, so they may be sought internationally. Gurlek said arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Moskovitch were issued on July 14, 2026, as part of proceedings before Istanbul's 11th High Criminal Court.

The charges include genocide, crimes against humanity, torture, deprivation of liberty, hijacking a transport vehicle, and property damage, stemming from an attack on the activist-operated Global Sumud Flotilla. Netanyahu's office responded on Friday night, calling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan an antisemitic dictator who has massacred Kurds, harbours Hamas terrorists, occupies half of Cyprus, and jails record numbers of journalists and politicians who oppose him.

Netanyahu's office added that Erdogan now seeks to extend his aggression against Israel into Syria and that "Israel will not tolerate it." It also stated that "Erdogan's pathetic attempt to intimidate the leaders and soldiers of Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East, will go nowhere." Turkey's presidential communications directorate described Netanyahu's comments as a groundless rant and a cheap political ploy aimed at gaining an advantage in the upcoming October legislative elections in Israel.

The directorate stated that Netanyahu's administration is awaiting accountability before international justice mechanisms on charges of genocide. Turkey has been a fierce critic of Israel's war in Gaza, which was sparked by the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on southern Israel. Turkish authorities accuse Netanyahu and Moskovitch of crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, torture, property damage, aggravated robbery, and hijacking of transportation vehicles in connection with the armed intervention against the flotilla and the detention of activists. Interpol reviews requests from member states before deciding whether to issue red notices.