Turkey has initiated procedures to request the issuance of an Interpol red notice against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as part of the criminal case opened for the intervention of Israeli forces against the humanitarian flotilla traveling to Gaza.
The news was announced this Friday, August 21, by Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, who announced that the request also includes Afek Moskovitch, identified by Turkish authorities as an Israeli security official.
According to Gürlek, the process is related to the interference with Global Sumud Flotilla activists in international waters, while the case is being examined by the 11th High Criminal Court in Istanbul.
There are 35 defendants in the case, including Netanyahu and Moskovitch. The Turkish court issued arrest warrants for both on July 14, 2026, on charges of “genocide.” Following these decisions, the Turkish Ministry of Justice has asked the Ministry of Interior to initiate proceedings to search for them internationally through Interpol. The relevant documentation has also been forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Turkish authorities accuse Netanyahu and Moskovitch of a series of serious charges, including crimes against humanity, genocide, unlawful deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, torture, damage to property, aggravated robbery, and hijacking of a vessel.
The proceedings relate to Israel's intervention against the flotilla that intended to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the detention of activists on board.
Ankara's request does not mean that Interpol has already issued a red notice. Interpol must review the request before deciding whether to publish it. Also, a red notice is not in itself an international arrest warrant, but a request to the authorities of member states for the location and temporary detention of a person, according to the legislation of each country.
