Published August 21st, 2026 - 02:52 GMT
ALBAWABA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday lashed out at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, branding him a “antisemitic dictator” after Ankara tried to seek an Interpol Red Notice against the Israeli leader over the interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.In a statement, Netanyahu’s office accused Erdogan of abuses against Kurds, housing Hamas militants, occupying part of Cyprus and imprisoning significant numbers of journalists and political opponents.Erdogan has also sought to extend Turkey’s fight with Israel into Syria, the Israeli prime minister’s office said, warning that Israel would not allow moves it considers a danger to its security.Netanyahu called Ankara's legal move an effort to intimidate Israeli officials and soldiers and said it would not affect Israel's actions.Erdogan-Netanyahu Verbal Warfare EscalatesThe current spat comes after months of increasingly heated talks between the two leadersErdoğan has often accused Netanyahu and his government of committing genocide in Gaza. Earlier this month, Erdogan told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during a meeting that Netanyahu’s government was ‘genocidal’ and promised that Turkey will maintain its defense of the Palestinian cause on international platforms.The rhetoric has gotten more personal than ever. Erdogan accused Netanyahu in June of “following the path of Hitler” as Netanyahu fired back with charges against the Turkish president over his domestic and geopolitical policies. The Prime Minister's Office:Erdoğan is an antisemitic dictator who has massacred Kurds, harbors Hamas terrorists, occupies half of Cyprus, and jails record numbers of journalists and politicians who oppose him. He now seeks to extend his aggression against Israel into Syria.…— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 21, 2026 Turkey Wants InterpolThe Friday escalation came after Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said Ankara had urged Interpol to issue Red Notices for Netanyahu and Israeli national Afek Moskovitch.The request involves procedures before Istanbul’s 11th High Criminal Court related to Israel’s interception of activists onboard the Global Sumud Flotilla transporting humanitarian aid to Gaza.Turkish authorities say arrest warrants were filed on July 14 and the accused face charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, torture, deliberate damage and wrongful deprivation of liberty.A Red Notice request does not signify that Interpol has issued a Red Notice and a Red Notice is not an international arrest order. It is a directive to the law enforcement authorities of the Member States to identify and if appropriate provisionally arrest a wanted individual, in accordance with national legislation.The current spat adds another layer to fast-deteriorating relations between Turkey and Israel, with concerns over Gaza combining with escalating tensions over Syria and the two countries’ competing regional security interests.
