The conflict between Gaza’s destruction and war allegations has now moved from the battlefield to the threshold of international arrest. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken tensions to a new height by deciding to approach Interpol against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ankara’s message is clear. The serious allegations against Netanyahu will not be limited to political debate only. But can Interpol actually arrest Netanyahu? Or is this move a deliberate strategy to increase international pressure on Israel? This question is now at the center of the entire incident.
1. What is Interpol and what is its power?
Interpol i.e. International Criminal Police Organization is an international organization which becomes a source of crime related information and cooperation between the police of different countries. It has 196 member countries and every member country has a National Central Bureau. It does not arrest any person itself. When a Red Corner Information is issued by Interpol, the police of the member countries receive a request for cooperation in the identification, search and possible temporary arrest of the wanted person.
2. What is the matter of Netanyahu and Erdogan?
The tension between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is not just about personal rhetoric, but related to the Gaza war, Palestine and regional strategy. Erdogan has long been a vocal critic of Israeli military action, while Netanyahu views Türkiye’s policies as a challenge to Israel’s interests. Apart from Gaza, the increasing Turkish role in Syria and Israeli military activities have further increased the distance between the two countries.
3. Why did you choose the path of Interpol against the Israeli PM?
On August 21, 2026, Turkey announced that it would request an Interpol red notice against Netanyahu. The case is related to the ongoing investigation in an Istanbul court into allegations of Israeli action against a convoy of humanitarian aid ships heading towards Gaza. According to Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek, arrest orders have been issued against Netanyahu and another Israeli accused. Now, on the basis of these orders, the search request is being taken forward at the international level.
4. What is the controversy related to Gaza aid convoy?
The center of controversy is the Global Sumud Flotilla, in which an attempt was made to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Turkey alleges that in May 2026, Israeli forces stopped the convoy in international waters and committed serious crimes against the people involved. In the Turkish judicial process, genocide, crimes against humanity, torture and other serious allegations have been made against many Israeli officials, including Netanyahu. However, these allegations are part of Türkiye’s judicial process and Israel does not accept these allegations.
5. Does Interpol Red Corner Notice mean immediate arrest?
It is not like that either. This is the most important legal aspect of this entire incident. An Interpol Red Corner Notice is not a self-enforcing international order for the arrest of a person. This is information seeking cooperation from member countries. After receiving the request, Interpol reviews it in accordance with the rules. According to the rules of the organization, the legality and compatibility of the information sent by the member countries with the rules of the organization is examined. Therefore, Türkiye’s request does not automatically ensure Netanyahu’s arrest.
6. Then how important is this step for Türkiye?
The first reason for this is to increase legal pressure. Türkiye has already been vocal on international forums against Israel regarding the Gaza war. Now by taking the proceedings started in the national court to the international police cooperation system, Ankara wants to present its allegations not just as a political statement but as a judicial process. The second reason is a political message—Türkiye wants to show that it believes accountability efforts on war and humanitarian law allegations should continue beyond borders.
7. Is there any arrest warrant already issued against Netanyahu?
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest order against Netanyahu and then Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant on charges of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza war. In July 2025, the judges of the court rejected Israel’s demand which tried to remove these orders. Israel challenges the court’s jurisdiction and denies the charges.
8. How much can Netanyahu’s foreign trips be affected by this?
This may have political and practical implications, but it would be wrong to see it as a definitive arrest. If the Interpol process moves forward, additional legal and diplomatic risks could arise regarding Netanyahu’s international travels. But every country takes action on the basis of its own laws and available international obligations. Therefore, the impact of red notice may be different in different countries.
9. What is the real stake – arrest or international pressure?
The immediate significance of this initiative for Türkiye appears more in the politics of international pressure and accountability than in the arrests. The Erdogan government is linking its tough policy regarding Gaza with institutional action. On the other hand, Israel considers it an attempt to target Netanyahu and the Israeli leadership. Interpol’s platform is important in this conflict because it gives the opportunity to present Türkiye’s national case before the international police cooperation mechanism of 196 countries.
This move by Türkiye is not just another political statement against Netanyahu. Ankara has tried to link its national judicial case to the process of international police cooperation. Still, the final outcome will depend on several legal steps. The most important thing is that Interpol itself is not a court and its red notice does not automatically constitute an order for arrest. Therefore, it is more logical to understand Erdogan’s move as a strategy to increase legal pressure, international image and diplomatic siege rather than the immediate arrest of Netanyahu.