Turkey announced on August 21, 2026, that it has asked Interpol to issue a Red Notice for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli soldier Afek Moskovitch in connection with a domestic criminal case related to Israel's interception of a Gaza aid flotilla earlier this year [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
The case stems from Israel's May 2026 interception in international waters of the "Global Sumud Flotilla," which included about 50 vessels and around 430 activists from over 40 countries attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip [1, 2, 3, 4, 6]. Turkish authorities accuse Netanyahu and Moskovitch of serious crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity, torture, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional injury and assault, aggravated property damage, aggravated robbery, and hijacking transport [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7].
In July 2026, Istanbul's 11th Heavy Penal Court issued domestic arrest warrants for the two men, and Turkey's Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the necessary documents were forwarded to Turkey's Interior and Foreign Ministries to pursue an Interpol Red Notice as part of judicial procedures involving 35 defendants [1, 2, 7, 4, 5]. Gurlek said, "We categorically reject the notion that the Netanyahu administration, which is implementing a genocide policy in Gaza, is untouchable and unaccountable. We will not allow the crimes committed in Gaza to be covered up or the perpetrators to be shielded by impunity" [7].
Interpol Red Notice requests undergo review to comply with Interpol regulations. They notify member countries to help locate and provisionally arrest wanted individuals but do not grant Interpol arrest power itself; enforcement depends on each member state's laws [1, 2, 3, 5]. Analysts view Turkey's request mainly as symbolic political pressure rather than a likely enforceable arrest order given Interpol's review process and member states' discretion [5].
Israel rejected the allegations outright. Netanyahu's office called Turkish President Erdogan an "antisemitic dictator" and accused him of massacring Kurds, harboring Hamas terrorists, maintaining oppressive domestic policies, and destabilizing the region. The statement said Israel would not tolerate Erdogan's aggression [8, 7, 6]. Turkey's presidential office dismissed the allegations as a "cheap political trick" aimed at boosting Netanyahu's election chances without merit [8].
The escalation follows worsening ties between Israel and Turkey, including disputes over military activity and airstrikes in Syria near Turkey's border [8, 7, 5]. In May 2026, Israeli forces fired on at least two vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Gaza, detaining and expelling activists [3, 4, 5, 6]. Moskovitch faces accusations linked to Gaza operations, including posting videos showing destruction of Gaza Islamic University facilities, a hospital, and a medical school [1, 4, 6].
Other countries such as France, Italy, and Australia have launched judicial proceedings related to Israel's detention of flotilla activists [3, 4]. Meanwhile, Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sparked international outrage by releasing a video mocking detained activists with hands tied and kneeling [3, 8, 4].
The latest step sees Turkey attempt multilateral pressure on Israel through Interpol. The Turkish Justice Minister’s announcement on August 21 sets in motion the international procedures as documents move through Turkey’s Interior and Foreign Ministries [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
