Benjamin Netanyahu: ‘Antisemitic dictator’: Netanyahu slams Turkey’s Erdogan, vows not to tolerate aggression in Syria

File photo: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Erdogan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a sharp attack on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after Ankara sought an Interpol Red Notice for Netanyahu and an Israeli official over an alleged attack on activists delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.Netanyahu’s office called Erdogan an “antisemitic dictator” and accused him of massacring Kurds, harbouring Hamas members, occupying half of Cyprus and jailing journalists and politicians who oppose him.“Erdogan 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,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on X.“He now seeks to extend his aggression against Israel into Syria. Israel will not tolerate it.”Netanyahu’s office also dismissed Turkey’s efforts to pursue Israeli leaders through international legal mechanisms.“Erdogan’s pathetic attempt to intimidate the leaders and soldiers of Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East, will go nowhere,” the statement said.

Turkey seeks Interpol action against Netanyahu

The Israeli response came after Turkish justice minister Akin Gurlek said Ankara had requested an Interpol Red Notice for Netanyahu and Israeli official Afek Moskovitch.The request is linked to a domestic criminal case concerning the interception of the Global Freedom Flotilla, which was seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.According to Gurlek, arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Moskovitch were issued by the Istanbul 11th Heavy Penal Court on July 14. The case involves 35 defendants and includes charges such as genocide, crimes against humanity and torture.Gurlek said relevant documents had been sent to Turkey’s interior ministry and foreign ministry to begin the process of seeking an international search and extradition through Interpol.“We categorically reject the notion that the Netanyahu administration, which is implementing a genocide policy in Gaza, is untouchable and unaccountable,” Gurlek said. “We will not allow the crimes committed in Gaza to be covered up or the perpetrators to be shielded by impunity.”A Red Notice is a request to police forces worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. Interpol reviews such requests before deciding whether to issue a notice, Reuters reported.

Gaza flotilla case involves 35 defendants

Turkey’s justice ministry said the indictment includes charges related to the interception and detention of international aid workers. The offences listed include genocide, crimes against humanity, deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, torture, damage to property, qualified plunder and hijacking of transport vehicles.The case relates to an Israeli interception of vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters in May. Israeli forces opened fire on at least two vessels as they attempted to reach Gaza with aid.Turkey has been one of Israel’s strongest critics over its military campaign in Gaza and has previously pursued domestic arrest warrants against Netanyahu. Israel denies Turkey’s allegations of violations of human rights and international law.

Israel-Turkey tensions also rise over Syria

The latest exchange comes amid a separate dispute between Ankara and Tel Aviv over Syria.Israel carried out airstrikes on a Syrian air base this week, saying Turkish troops could potentially be deployed there.Turkey condemned the Israeli action, while the United States also criticised the strikes. Syria has said there were no plans to deploy Turkish troops at the base, Reuters reported.Turkey’s growing influence in Syria, where it supports Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has raised concerns in Israel since Sharaa’s forces toppled longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in 2024.The tensions come ahead of Israel’s parliamentary election in October, with Ankara accusing Israel of using rhetoric against Turkey and its actions in Syria as part of the political campaign.