Turkey Seeks Interpol Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu Over Gaza Flotilla

Turkey's Justice Ministry announced Friday it is seeking an Interpol red notice for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli official Afek Moskovitch.

Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek stated that arrest warrants for both men were issued July 14, 2026, as part of proceedings before Istanbul’s 11th High Criminal Court. The request stems from an investigation into Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound protest flotilla in spring 2026, specifically the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sought to breach the blockade of Gaza.

Documents related to the request have been forwarded to Turkey's Interior and Foreign Ministries. Netanyahu’s office responded by accusing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of hypocrisy and attempting to intimidate Israeli leaders. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stated that Israel has long ceased to be impressed by Turkey’s hypocrisy. The PMO described Erdogan as an antisemitic dictator who has massacred Kurds, harbors Hamas terrorists, occupies half of Cyprus, and jails record numbers of journalists and politicians who oppose him.

The statement added that Erdogan now seeks to extend his aggression against Israel into Syria and that Israel will not tolerate it. The PMO also asserted that Erdogan’s pathetic attempt to intimidate the leaders and soldiers of Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East, will go nowhere. Ankara had issued its first arrest warrants on July 14 for Netanyahu and Moskovitch over allegations of genocide in Gaza.

AFP, citing Turkish İhlas News Agency, reported at the time that Moskovitch is an Israel Defense Forces soldier who posted footage of himself on Instagram destroying property in Gaza. Gurlek mentioned Netanyahu, Moskovitch, and 33 other Israelis in connection with the flotilla interception. Turkey's presidential communications directorate described Netanyahu’s comments on Erdogan’s policies in Cyprus and Syria as a groundless rant.