Turkey-Israel tensions are intensifying as Ankara delivers a strong response to Israeli criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkish officials have reaffirmed Ankara’s support for the Palestinian cause while accusing the Israeli government of targeting Erdogan with what they described as lies and slander. Turkish officials also sharply criticised the language used by Israel’s foreign ministry and accused the Netanyahu government of escalating tensions across the region.

The latest war of words comes amid growing friction between Turkey and Israel over Syria. Israel has carried out strikes on Syrian military infrastructure, while concerns have grown over Turkey’s reported plans involving personnel, drones and air defence systems in northern Syria.

The confrontation has added another layer to the wider West Asia crisis, with both Turkey and Israel increasingly viewing each other as strategic challenges.

The political timing is also significant, with Israel heading toward a general election. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long built his political image around national security, and Turkey is increasingly featuring in Israel’s political and security debate.

The escalating rivalry raises a major question: could Syria become a new front in the wider West Asia conflict?

Watch the latest updates on Turkey-Israel tensions, Erdogan, Netanyahu, Syria, Gaza and the rapidly changing geopolitical situation across West Asia.

Turkey-Israel Tensions Escalate As Ankara Hits Back At Netanyahu Over Erdogan Attacks

Turkey and Israel are locked in a fresh diplomatic confrontation after Ankara reportedly sought an Interpol Red Notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

The dispute centres on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sailed toward Gaza carrying hundreds of activists before Israeli forces intercepted the vessels in the Mediterranean and detained those on board.

Turkey has accused Netanyahu and others of serious crimes, while Israel has rejected the allegations and sharply attacked the Turkish government.

The wider controversy comes as Britain, Canada and Australia condemn Israel’s decision to close a probe into the 2024 strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza.

Turkey Seeks Interpol Red Notice For Netanyahu | Israel-Turkey Row Escalates Over Gaza Flotilla

Turkey has sought an international arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged "genocide" linked to Israel's interception of an aid flotilla heading to Gaza, Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said on Friday.&nbsp;The Turkish Justice Ministry has also sought an Interpol red notice for another Israeli national, Afek Moskovitch. The move follows arrest warrants issued by Turkey against Netanyahu and other Israeli officials over allegations related to Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. Israel has rejected accusations of genocide.&nbsp;Gurlek said on X that the Justice Ministry had asked the Interior Ministry to issue international arrest alerts for Netanyahu and Moskovitch.&nbsp;"As part of the judicial proceedings concerning the attack in international waters on the Flotilla activists (...) and in accordance with the arrest warrants issued on July 14, 2026, against Benjamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch for 'genocide,' the ministry of justice has requested that the ministry of the interior issue red notices for their international arrest," the minister stated.&nbsp;According to the ministry, the two 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.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Gazze’ye insani yardım ulaştırmak amacıyla yola çıkan Küresel Sumud Filosu aktivistlerine uluslararası sularda gerçekleştirilen saldırıya ilişkin yargı süreci kararlılıkla devam etmektedir. İstanbul 11. Ağır Ceza Mahkemesinin 2026/108 Esas sayılı dosyasında, aralarında Binyamin…&mdash; Akın Gürlek (@abakingurlek) <a href="https://x.com/abakingurlek/status/2090765048431985015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Flotilla interception sparks legal action</h2>Around 50 vessels were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla that departed Turkey in May for the besieged Palestinian territory. Israeli forces intercepted the activists in the Mediterranean, detained them and later took them to an Israeli prison before their expulsion.&nbsp;The latest Turkish action comes amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Ankara and Jerusalem since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack and the subsequent Gaza war. Turkey has hosted Hamas leaders, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly criticised Israel. Ankara has also ended trade and direct flights with Israel.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/it-is-better-we-end-the-war-now-iran-s-pezeshkian-says-tehran-is-in-position-of-power-1787318532156">‘It is better we end the war now’: Iran’s Pezeshkian says Tehran is in ‘position of power’</a><h2>Tensions rise over Syria</h2>The dispute has also expanded beyond Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that Erdogan was "dragging Turkey into dangerous adventures in Syria".&nbsp;Katz made the remarks after Israel carried out airstrikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhar air base earlier this week, claiming Turkish troops were preparing to deploy there.&nbsp;Turkey's Defence Ministry rejected the claim, saying it had no military presence at the base. It also said Ankara would continue supporting Syria's efforts to develop its infrastructure and military capabilities.Meanwhile, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir triggered further controversy after releasing a video showing detained flotilla activists on their knees with their hands tied behind their backs.

Turkey has sought Interpol red notices for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another Israeli national over alleged genocide linked to the interception of a Gaza aid flotilla, amid worsening tensions between Ankara and Jerusalem.

Turkey has sought an international arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged "genocide" linked to Israel's interception of an aid flotilla heading to Gaza, Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said on Friday. The Turkish Justice Ministry has also sought an Interpol red notice for another Israeli national, Afek Moskovitch. The move follows arrest warrants issued by Turkey against Netanyahu and other Israeli officials over allegations related to Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. Israel has rejected accusations of genocide. Gurlek said on X that the Justice Ministry had asked the Interior Ministry to issue international arrest alerts for Netanyahu and Moskovitch. "As part of the judicial proceedings concerning the attack in international waters on the Flotilla activists (...) and in accordance with the arrest warrants issued on July 14, 2026, against Benjamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch for 'genocide,' the ministry of justice has requested that the ministry of the interior issue red notices for their international arrest," the minister stated. According to the ministry, the two 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.”

Turkey has sought Interpol red notices for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another Israeli national over alleged genocide linked to the interception of a Gaza aid flotilla, amid worsening tensions between Ankara and Jerusalem.

Turkey issues 'genocide' warrant for Israeli PM Netanyahu over Gaza flotilla

Turkey announced on Friday (Aug 29) that it has decided to completely cut its commercial and economic ties with Israel, closing its airspace to Israeli aircraft. It has also barred Israeli vessels from using its ports and Turkish ships from entering Israeli ports. This comes as the diplomatic tensions between the two nations escalate amid the ongoing war in GazaTurkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the decision, warning that Israel’s military operation in the region could engulf the entire Middle East in a conflict. He also called for international measures against Israel and urged world powers to stop supporting Tel Aviv.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houthi-pm-ahmed-al-rahawi-killed-in-israeli-strike-on-yemen-israel-strikes-sanaa-kills-houthi-leaders-including-pm-1756459254135">Houthi PM Ahmed al-Rahawi killed in Israeli strike on Yemen: Reports</a>“We have completely cut off our trade with Israel. We do not allow Turkish ships to go to Israeli ports. We do not allow their planes to enter our airspace,” Fidan told a special parliamentary debate on Gaza in Ankara. He also said that the airspace was “closed to all aircraft carrying weapons (to Israel) and to Israel’s official flights.”Last year in May, Israel severed direct trade ties with Israel, calling for a permanent ceasefire and immediate entry of aid into Gaza. In 2023, the two nations engaged in trade worth $7 billion.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-bars-israeli-officials-from-dsei-2025-over-gaza-2025-1756465070276">Following ban on arms sale, UK bars Israeli officials from London’s major arms fair</a>Turkish media reported last week that a ban had been imposed on maritime traffic to and from Israel. While there were no official statements at that time, reports suggested that Israeli vessels were not allowed to dock in Turkey and Turkish vessels were not allowed to enter Israeli ports.Ankara has long criticised the Israeli military operations in Gaza. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has likened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Hitler, accusing him of committing “genocide” against Palestinians.Watch | Israel Carries Out Strikes in Yemen During Houthi Leader's Speechhttps://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-carries-out-strikes-in-yemen-during-houthi-leader-s-speech-1756476845301/embed

Last year in May, Israel severed direct trade ties with Israel, calling for a permanent ceasefire and immediate entry of aid into Gaza. In 2023, the two nations engaged in trade worth $7 billion.

Turkey announced on Friday (Aug 29) that it has decided to completely cut its commercial and economic ties with Israel, closing its airspace to Israeli aircraft. It has also barred Israeli vessels from using its ports and Turkish ships from entering Israeli ports. This comes as the diplomatic tensions between the two nations escalate amid the ongoing war in Gaza Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the decision, warning that Israel’s military operation in the region could engulf the entire Middle East in a conflict. He also called for international measures against Israel and urged world powers to stop supporting Tel Aviv. Also read | Houthi PM Ahmed al-Rahawi killed in Israeli strike on Yemen: Reports “We have completely cut off our trade with Israel. We do not allow Turkish ships to go to Israeli ports. We do not allow their planes to enter our airspace,” Fidan told a special parliamentary debate on Gaza in Ankara. He also said that the airspace was “closed to all aircraft carrying weapons (to Israel) and to Israel’s official flights.” Last year in May, Israel severed direct trade ties with Israel, calling for a permanent ceasefire and immediate entry of aid into Gaza. In 2023, the two nations engaged in trade worth $7 billion. Also read | Following ban on arms sale, UK bars Israeli officials from London’s major arms fair Turkish media reported last week that a ban had been imposed on maritime traffic to and from Israel. While there were no official statements at that time, reports suggested that Israeli vessels were not allowed to dock in Turkey and Turkish vessels were not allowed to enter Israeli ports. Ankara has long criticised the Israeli military operations in Gaza. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has likened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Hitler, accusing him of committing “genocide” against Palestinians. Watch | Israel Carries Out Strikes in Yemen During Houthi Leader's Speech https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-carries-out-strikes-in-yemen-during-houthi-leader-s-speech-1756476845301/embed

Last year in May, Israel severed direct trade ties with Israel, calling for a permanent ceasefire and immediate entry of aid into Gaza. In 2023, the two nations engaged in trade worth $7 billion.

Turkey cuts all trade ties with Israel: Ankara bars ships, aircraft from its territory amid tensions over Gaza war