Turkey Asks Interpol To Issue Arrest Alert For Israeli PM Netanyahu
Turkey Asks Interpol To Issue Arrest Alert For Israeli PM Netanyahu
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a press conference at the Prime ministers office in Jerusalem on August 10, 2025. Netanyahu said on August 10 that his government had no plans to occupy Gaza, while vowing to create safe corridors for aid. (Photo by ABIR SULTAN / POOL / AFP)
Turkey has repeatedly accused Israeli officials of responsibility for alleged violations against Palestinians, while Israel has rejected such allegations.
Turkey has asked Interpol to issue a red notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over an investigation into the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Turkey’s Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced the request on Friday, according to Al Arabiya. He said the move followed arrest warrants issued by a Turkish court against Netanyahu and other Israeli officials in connection with the case.
Gurlek said the Interior Ministry had been asked to seek the red notices for Netanyahu and Israeli security figure Avik Moskowitz. A red notice is an international request for police to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted person pending possible extradition proceedings.
The minister said judicial proceedings are continuing before Istanbul’s 11th High Criminal Court against 35 defendants in the case. The proceedings concern the interception of the flotilla in international waters, with Netanyahu and Moskowitz among those named in the case.
According to Gurlek, the suspects face allegations including crimes against humanity, genocide, unlawful deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, torture, property damage, aggravated robbery and hijacking. The allegations relate to the treatment of activists and the interception of the aid flotilla.
“We will not allow the crimes committed in Gaza to be covered up or those responsible to be protected by a shield of impunity,” Gurlek said in a statement reported by Al Arabiya.
The latest request follows an earlier Turkish court decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials over allegations connected to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Turkey has repeatedly accused Israeli officials of responsibility for alleged violations against Palestinians, while Israel has rejected such allegations.
The Global Sumud Flotilla was a civilian aid initiative that sought to reach Gaza by sea. Turkish prosecutors have continued legal proceedings over the interception of the vessels, while the latest request could put additional pressure on countries where Netanyahu may travel if Interpol acts on Turkey’s request.
