Friday, August 21, 2026 {HMC} Turkey said today it would request an Interpol red notice for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as part of a domestic criminal case in Turkey over an attack on human rights activists trying to deliver aid to Gaza.
NATO member Turkey is one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s bombing and operations in Gaza, and has previously issued domestic warrants for Netanyahu over the fighting there.
Ankara has repeatedly called for international action against Israel, accusing it of violating human rights and international law. Israel denies the allegations.
In May, Israeli forces opened fire on at least two boats from the Global Sea Flotilla, which was heading to Gaza, as they were again trying to deliver aid to the territory, after Israel had previously intervened and stopped other operations in international waters.
In a statement posted on X.net, Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said that arrest warrants were issued for Netanyahu and another person suspected of crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity and torture, as part of a case against 35 people related to Israel’s intervention in international waters.
“Following the arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and others, the Justice Ministry has requested the Interior Ministry to issue Interpol red notices, so that they can be sought internationally,” Gurlek said.
He added that Turkey will use all legal means at its disposal to ensure that Israel is held accountable for its crimes in Gaza.
A red notice is a request to police forces around the world to locate a person and temporarily detain them pending a decision on their extradition. Interpol reviews requests submitted by member countries before deciding whether to issue a red notice.
