Turkey seeks Interpol red notice for Netanyahu over Gaza flotilla interception
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Turkey has sought an international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, accusing him and another Israeli of crimes including genocide and crimes against humanity.
Turkey’s Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said on Friday that his ministry had asked the Interior Ministry to issue an Interpol red notice for Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch over the interception of flotilla activists in international waters.
The charges listed by the ministry include crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional assault and battery, torture, destruction of property, aggravated looting and hijacking of transport vehicles.
The case relates to Israel’s interception in May of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying around 430 activists. The activists were detained in the Mediterranean by Israeli forces, taken to an Israeli prison and later expelled. France, Italy and Australia have also launched judicial proceedings linked to the incident.
Turkey has been a strong critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly accused Netanyahu of genocide.
Netanyahu’s office rejected Turkey’s action, calling it “hypocrisy” and accusing Erdogan of being an “antisemitic dictator”. It also said Israel would continue acting against what it described as Turkey’s efforts to destabilise the region.
Erdogan’s office responded by calling the Israeli statement “outrageous ravings” and accused Netanyahu’s government of attempting to evade accountability. It also alleged that Netanyahu was using the dispute for electoral advantage.
Turkey’s IHA news agency reported that Moskovitch is an Israeli soldier who is also accused over actions in Gaza. Citing the indictment, it said he had posted footage showing tanks and a bulldozer destroying buildings at Gaza’s Islamic University, including a hospital and medical faculty.
Around 50 vessels participated in the flotilla that departed Turkey in May. Israel’s interception and subsequent detention of the activists drew international criticism. Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also faced criticism after releasing footage of detained activists.