Turkey Issues Arrest Warrant For Netanyahu, Seeks Interpol Red Notice
Turkey has moved to intensify its campaign against Israel by issuing an international arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The warrant stems from an inquiry into Israel’s mid‑May seizure of a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza, an operation that involved more than 50 ships and close to 500 activists from around the world.
Genocide Accusation
Justice Minister Akin Gürlek posted on X that both Netanyahu and senior official Afek Moskovitch are being sought on a charge of genocide linked to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Gürlek rejected any notion that the current Israeli administration is beyond accountability, insisting that Turkey will not permit alleged crimes in Gaza to be concealed or the perpetrators to escape justice.
Interpol Red Notice Request
The Turkish government has formally asked Interpol to issue red notices for the two Israeli officials. According to Gürlek, the arrest warrants were signed on July 14, and the Justice Ministry has directed the Interior Ministry to pursue the international notices. The case is now before Istanbul’s 11th High Criminal Court and lists 35 individuals connected to the flotilla interception and the subsequent detention of activists.
List of Alleged Crimes
The indictment alleges a range of offenses, including crimes against humanity, genocide, unlawful deprivation of liberty, torture, intentional injury, damage to property, aggravated robbery and hijacking. Gürlek emphasized that Turkey will employ every tool of national and international law to hold those responsible for what it describes as crimes against humanity.
Past Warrants and Diplomatic Strain
This is not Turkey’s first warrant against Netanyahu; a similar order was issued in 2025 in connection with Turkey’s support for an International Criminal Court case targeting Israeli leaders. Given the deepening rift between Ankara and Jerusalem, it is highly improbable that Israeli officials will travel to Turkey, though the move could create complications for ordinary Israeli tourists.
Recent Military Moves
In the past week Israel struck a northern airbase in Syria’s Idlib province, a target that analysts say was chosen to push back Turkish military presence and prevent any Turkish foothold in the area. The base, reportedly abandoned after the overthrow of President Bashar al‑Assad, was destroyed in the operation.
Turkey’s Stated Commitment
Gürlek reiterated that Turkey will continue to back the Palestinian people and will not cease its pursuit of accountability until those accused of crimes against humanity are brought before a court. The ministry’s request for Interpol red notices underscores Ankara’s determination to use both domestic and international mechanisms to advance its legal case against the Israeli officials.
Source: zerohedge.com · 2026-08-22