Turkey Demands Netanyahu Arrest Warrant Over Gaza Flotilla Raid, PM Fires Back at Erdogan

Turkey announced on Friday that it is seeking an international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of "genocide" and other crimes linked to Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla [225501][224852]. The request, confirmed by Turkey’s justice minister, targets Netanyahu over "crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty," and "torture" [225039]. The move stems from a domestic criminal case related to the May raid on a flotilla carrying about 430 activists, which triggered widespread international criticism at the time [224852][224392].

Ankara has requested that Interpol issue a Red Notice for Netanyahu, which is an international alert used to help locate and detain a person wanted by a member country [224365]. While not an arrest warrant, a Red Notice can restrict travel for the named individual [224365]. Israel’s foreign ministry called the move "absurd" and accused Turkey of abusing international institutions for political purposes [224365].

Netanyahu’s office responded sharply, calling Turkey’s move hypocritical and pointing to Ankara’s own record on minority rights [225501]. The Prime Minister also referred to Erdogan as an "antisemitic dictator" [225503][225039]. Turkey’s Communications Directorate dismissed the Israeli response as "cheap politics," arguing that the Israeli government is trying to portray Türkiye as a new threat to shift attention away from regional issues [224485].

The warrant request marks a new low in relations between the two regional powers, which have been strained for years over the Palestinian issue and maritime disputes [225501]. Analysts note that the move is largely symbolic, as Israel does not extradite its citizens and the International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction over Israel, which is not a party to the Rome Statute [225501][225039]. Interpol has not yet commented on whether it will process Turkey’s request, as its rules require it to remain neutral and avoid politically motivated cases [224365].