Turkey requests Interpol red notice for Benjamin Netanyahu

On August 21, 2026, Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced that Turkey has requested the issuance of Interpol red notices for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another Israeli citizen, Afek Moskovitz. The request follows the issuance of domestic Turkish arrest warrants on July 14, 2026, which charge both individuals with genocide in connection to the interception of a Gaza-bound activist flotilla and the subsequent detention of participants.

This legal action stems from an investigation into the interception of the "Gaza Flotilla" in international waters. Diplomatic relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv have significantly declined since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, leading to the suspension of trade and direct flights. Turkey has previously experienced high-profile disputes over Gaza-bound vessels, most notably the 2010 incident where ten Turkish activists were killed by Israeli forces. Israel has consistently rejected the genocide allegations and maintains its sovereign right to naval blockades, while Turkey continues to pursue international legal pathways against Israeli leadership.