The move comes amid a sharp escalation in already strained relations between Israel and Turkey, particularly over Syria.
By United with Israel Staff
Turkey has formally requested that an Interpol Red Notice be issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing an arrest warrant issued by an Istanbul court accusing the Israeli leader of genocide and other crimes related to Israel’s actions against a Gaza-bound flotilla.
Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced Friday that his ministry had asked the Interior Ministry to pursue international wanted notices for Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch, an otherwise unknown figure whose identity and role in the case remain unclear.
A Red Notice asks law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally detain a wanted person, but is not itself an international arrest warrant.
The request stems from arrest warrants issued on July 14 by Istanbul’s 11th High Criminal Court as part of proceedings against 35 defendants over Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sought to reach the Gaza Strip.
According to Gürlek, Netanyahu and Moskovitch face accusations including “crimes against humanity,” “genocide,” unlawful deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, torture, property damage, aggravated robbery and hijacking of transportation vehicles.
Gürlek said the necessary documents had also been forwarded to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry as Ankara seeks to have the two men internationally listed as wanted.
“We do not accept in any way the understanding that the Netanyahu government, which pursues a policy of genocide in Gaza, is untouchable and unaccountable,” Gürlek said.
He vowed that Turkey would use “all the possibilities of national and international law” to pursue those it holds responsible for actions in Gaza.
The move comes amid a sharp escalation in already strained relations between Israel and Turkey, particularly over Syria.
Earlier this week, Israel confirmed carrying out an airstrike on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur Airbase, saying it acted after repeated warnings that a planned Turkish military deployment there would threaten Israeli security.
Prime Minister Netanyahu subsequently warned that Israel would not tolerate a Turkish military buildup in Syria, while Defense Minister Israel Katz accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of dragging his country into “dangerous adventures.”
Turkey rejected Israel’s claims and responded defiantly, pledging to continue cooperating with Damascus and supporting efforts to develop Syria’s military capabilities.
The dispute has heightened concerns over the possibility of direct friction between the two regional powers as Turkey expands its influence in Syria and Israel insists it will act against military developments it considers a threat to its security.
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