Erdogan, Netanyahu trade jabs after Turkey seeks arrest warrant for Israel PM

Turkey requested an Interpol red notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, accusing him of genocide over May's interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek named Netanyahu and Israeli soldier Afek Moskovitch in the request. Netanyahu's office dismissed the move as Turkish hypocrisy, and Ankara fired back within hours.

Why did Turkey seek an arrest warrant for Netanyahu?

Turkey's justice ministry asked for the Interpol notice as part of judicial proceedings over Israel's interception of Gaza-bound flotilla activists in international waters in May.

Netanyahu and Israeli soldier Afek Moskovitch face accusations including crimes against humanity, genocide, and torture. Erdogan has repeatedly accused Netanyahu of genocide since Israel's war in Gaza began.

What is Netanyahu accused of?

Turkey's justice ministry said Netanyahu and Moskovitch are being prosecuted for crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional assault and battery, torture, destruction of property, aggravated looting, and hijacking of transport vehicles. The ministry linked the charges directly to the flotilla interception in May.

Gurlek announced the Interpol request on X, describing it as part of ongoing judicial proceedings over the raid.

How did Israel respond to the warrant?

Netanyahu's office said Israel was unimpressed by what it called Turkish hypocrisy. It described Erdogan as an antisemitic dictator who massacred Kurds, supports Hamas, and oppresses his own people.

The statement added that Israel would continue to act forcefully against what it called Turkey's attempts to destabilize the region, an apparent reference to earlier accusations that Ankara sought a military presence in Syria.

Turkey responded quickly. Erdogan's office called Netanyahu's remarks outrageous ravings and accused his government of seeking to evade accountability. It pointed to Netanyahu's upcoming election battle, saying his cheap politics were designed to give him an electoral advantage and carried no weight.

Who is Afek Moskovitch?

Turkey's IHA news agency identified Moskovitch as an Israeli soldier also accused over actions in Gaza.

Citing the indictment, IHA said Moskovitch had posted Instagram footage showing tanks and a bulldozer destroying buildings at the Islamic University of Gaza, including a hospital and medical faculty. He is named alongside Netanyahu in the Interpol request.

What happened to the Gaza flotilla?

About 50 vessels made up the Global Sumud Flotilla, which left Turkey in May bound for the besieged Palestinian territory. The Israeli military intercepted the roughly 430 activists aboard in the Mediterranean and detained them before expelling them from an Israeli prison. The raid sparked international outcry, and France, Italy and Australia have since launched their own judicial proceedings.

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also drew criticism after releasing a video showing himself taunting kneeling flotilla activists whose hands were tied behind their backs.