Turkey formally requested an Interpol red notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, escalating a legal campa...

Turkey formally requested an Interpol red notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, escalating a legal campaign that has been building for months. Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced the move on Friday via a post on X, confirming that the Istanbul 11th Heavy Criminal Court is prosecuting 35 defendants in connection with the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Arrest warrants for Netanyahu and a second defendant, Afek Moskowitz, were issued on July 14, 2026, on charges that include genocide. Following those warrants, Turkey's Justice Ministry formally asked the Interior Ministry to initiate Interpol red notice proceedings for both men, with documents also forwarded to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The charges in the Istanbul case are extensive. Turkish prosecutors have filed counts covering crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional bodily harm, torture, destruction of property, aggravated robbery, and piracy. The charges stem from what Turkey describes as an armed intervention against civilians carrying humanitarian aid in international waters and the subsequent detention of activists aboard the flotilla. Gurlek said Turkey would not allow crimes committed in Gaza to be covered up or shielded behind impunity, and pledged to use every tool available under national and international law. Israel has categorically rejected genocide accusations and has not recognized the Turkish proceedings. This is not Turkey's first warrant against Netanyahu. A separate Turkish legal process had already issued warrants against him and other senior Israeli officials on genocide charges related to Israeli military operations in Gaza during the war with Hamas. The latest move comes as Israeli-Turkish tensions have sharply deteriorated following Israel's strike on a military base in Syria, with Jerusalem accusing Erdogan of seeking a permanent Turkish military foothold there. #Turkey #Netanyahu #Interpol