Kathmandu— Türkiye has formally requested that Interpol issue a Red Notice – an international arrest warrant – for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of genocide and other crimes related to Israel’s actions in Gaza and the treatment of pro-Palestinian activists. The move escalates tensions between the two US allies amid ongoing conflict and sharply critical rhetoric from both governments. Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced the request on Friday, citing alleged offenses stemming from an incident involving the Global Sumud Flotilla, a group attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, as well as broader concerns over the war in Gaza.

Interpol Red Notice Request

An Interpol Red Notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and arrest an individual pending extradition. Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek stated on X that Netanyahu is one of 35 individuals sought in connection with what Türkiye describes as an attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which attempted to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. The charges against Netanyahu include genocide, crimes against humanity, torture, and deprivation of liberty.

Escalating Rhetoric and Mutual Accusations

The request for an arrest warrant follows months of increasingly hostile exchanges between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli officials. Erdogan has repeatedly likened Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler and accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. In response, Netanyahu has labeled Erdogan an “anti-Semitic dictator” and accused him of committing genocide against Kurds. These accusations have further strained relations already impacted by differing stances on the conflict.

Syria Airstrike Adds to Tensions

Recent Israeli airstrikes on a Syrian airbase near Abu al-Duhur have also drawn condemnation from Ankara, with Turkish officials warning Israel against “dangerous adventures in Syria.” Israel claimed the strikes targeted deployments of Turkish troops in the area, an assertion denied by both Türkiye and Syria. US presidential envoy to Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack condemned the airstrikes as an unnecessary escalation.

International Legal Challenges

The move comes as Israel faces separate legal challenges regarding its actions in Gaza. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently reviewing a genocide case brought against Israel by South Africa, while the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel disputes these allegations and is not a member of the ICC but is party to the ICJ Statute.

Türkiye’s request for an Interpol Red Notice adds another layer of complexity to the already fraught relationship between Ankara and Jerusalem, as international legal scrutiny of Israel's actions in Gaza continues.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.