Türkiye Requests Interpol Red Notices for Netanyahu Over Genocide Charge

Türkiye has moved to seek Interpol red notices for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli official Afek Moskovitch over allegations including genocide and crimes against humanity arising from an attack on Global Sumud Flotilla activists.

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the Justice Ministry had asked the Interior Ministry to pursue the notices after an Istanbul court issued arrest warrants for the two men on July 14, 2026.

The proceedings center on an armed intervention against activists aboard the flotilla in international waters as they sought to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Arrest Warrants Precede Interpol Request

Istanbul’s 11th High Criminal Court is hearing the case under file No. 2026/108, which includes 35 defendants, including Netanyahu and Moskovitch.

Gurlek said the July arrest warrants were issued on a genocide charge. The ministry then forwarded material to the Interior Ministry for the Interpol process, and also sent relevant documents to the Foreign Ministry.

The red notice request is intended to facilitate the international location and arrest of the two defendants.

Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity

Turkish authorities accuse Netanyahu and Moskovitch of responsibility for offenses connected to the armed intervention against the flotilla and the detention of activists.

The charges include crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, torture, property damage, aggravated robbery and hijacking of transportation vehicles.

The case places the treatment of Global Sumud Flotilla activists at the center of Türkiye’s attempt to pursue the two men through international law-enforcement mechanisms.

Türkiye Vows to Continue Legal Action

Gurlek said Ankara would continue using domestic and international legal channels over alleged crimes connected to Gaza.

“We will not allow the crimes committed in Gaza to be covered up or those responsible to be protected by a shield of impunity,” he said.

He also said Türkiye would continue pressing for legal accountability for those accused of crimes against humanity.

“We will take all necessary steps with determination so that those who commit crimes against humanity are held accountable before the law,” Gurlek said.