On August 21, 2026, Israel's Prime Minister's Office issued a statement in response to Turkey's request for Interpol to issue a red notice against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement emphasized Israel's disapproval of Turkey's actions and criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for escalating tensions between the two nations.

Israel firmly stated that it would not accept Turkey's request and would continue to take measures to counter any actions it perceives as threats to regional stability and its own security. This response comes amid ongoing tensions related to the situation in Syria and the Gaza Strip.

Earlier that day, Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced that legal proceedings were underway concerning activists involved in a humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza, which had been blocked by Israel. The convoy, which originated from Turkey in May, aimed to break the Israeli blockade and deliver aid to Palestinians.

On July 14, a court in Istanbul issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, accusing him of genocide. Minister Gurlek indicated that Ankara had requested the necessary procedures from its Interior Ministry to seek an international arrest warrant through Interpol.

Additionally, the ongoing disputes between Israel and Turkey have been exacerbated by military developments in Syria. On August 19, Israel confirmed an airstrike on a Syrian airbase, claiming it was conducted due to Turkish forces' presence there, which Turkey later denied. These incidents highlight the complex and often contentious relationship between Israel and Turkey, particularly concerning their respective roles in regional conflicts.