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Netanyahu’s office called Turkey’s move as a “pathetic attempt” and vowed that Israel would continue to act against what it called Ankara’s efforts to destabilise the region.
News18
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan an “antisemitic dictator” and accused him of trying to extend Turkey’s regional influence into Syria, shortly after Ankara sought international action against the Israeli leader over Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
Netanyahu’s office called Turkey’s move as a “pathetic attempt” and vowed that Israel would continue to act against what it called Ankara’s efforts to destabilise the region.
“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,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
The latest exchange comes amid worsening tensions between Israel and Turkey over Syria and the Gaza war.
Netanyahu accuses Turkey of seeking foothold in Syria
The Israeli statement followed a dispute over a disused military air base near Aleppo in north-western Syria.
Syria on Tuesday accused Israel of striking the former base, which has been out of service since 2012 after suffering damage during the country’s civil war. Israel said a Turkish military delegation had recently visited the site, amid reports that Ankara was exploring efforts to reactivate the facility.
Turkey denied having any military presence at the base and said it would continue to support Syrian sovereignty.
Netanyahu’s office accused Erdogan of seeking “to extend his aggression against Israel into Syria”, adding: “Israel will not tolerate it.”
Turkey seeks Interpol red notice for Netanyahu
The Israeli condemnation followed Turkey’s announcement that it had sought an international arrest warrant for Netanyahu over allegations of “genocide” linked to Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said his ministry had asked the Interior Ministry to seek Interpol red notices for Netanyahu and Israeli national Afek Moskovitch.
Turkey said arrest warrants issued on July 14 accuse the two of “crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, ‘intentional assault and battery,’ torture, destruction of property, aggravated looting, and hijacking of transport vehicles”.
The case centres on Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean in May. Around 50 vessels carrying activists sailed from Turkey towards Gaza before being intercepted by Israeli forces. The activists were detained and later expelled from Israel.
Turkey has become one of Israel’s fiercest critics over the Gaza war, repeatedly accusing Netanyahu of genocide. Israel has rejected the allegations and accused Ankara of supporting Hamas.
(With inputs from agencies)
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18Turkey has requested an Interpol red notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in connection with a domestic criminal case concerning the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
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August 21, 2026, 11:37 PM IST
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