Turkey to seek Interpol red notice for Netanyahu over Gaza flotilla attack
text_fields
Ankara: Turkey is preparing to seek an Interpol Red Notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of a criminal case related to the attack on flotilla activists who attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
In a post on X, Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said action had been taken against 35 people in connection with Israel's interception of the flotilla in international waters. The arrest warrants against Netanyahu include serious allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity and torture.
Gürlek said the Justice Ministry had officially asked the Interior Ministry to request Interpol Red Notices to locate the suspects internationally based on the arrest warrants. He added that Turkey would use all available legal mechanisms to bring those responsible for Israel's alleged crimes in Gaza to justice.
NATO member Turkey is one of the strongest critics of Israel's military operations against Gaza. Turkey has previously issued domestic arrest warrants against Netanyahu in connection with the war. Ankara has repeatedly called for international action against Israel over alleged human rights violations and breaches of international law, while Israel denies the allegations.
In May, Israeli forces opened fire on two vessels belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters as part of a new attempt to deliver essential supplies to the Gaza enclave. Israel had also intercepted previous aid missions in international waters.
An Interpol Red Notice is a request issued to police forces worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest individuals. Interpol makes a final decision on issuing a Red Notice after reviewing requests submitted by member states in detail.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu's office strongly criticised Turkey's announcement. It described the move as a failed attempt by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to intimidate Israeli leaders and soldiers, and said it would go nowhere.
Turkey and Israel have also recently traded accusations over the situation in Syria. Israel's airstrikes on an airbase in Syria, citing concerns that Turkey could deploy troops there, prompted strong protests from Ankara and drew criticism from the US. Syria, however, said it had no plans for such a military deployment.
Israel has been increasingly concerned by Turkey's close ties with the Syrian administration led by Ahmed al-Sharaa following the ousting of former ruler Bashar al-Assad in 2024. Meanwhile, Ankara has accused Israel of adopting provocative positions towards Turkey as part of political manoeuvring ahead of the upcoming Israeli parliamentary elections.