Published August 21st, 2026 - 12:59 GMT
ALBAWABA - Turkey has submitted a request to Interpol for a Red Notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another Israeli citizen in connection with a criminal case related to Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.Turkey’s Justice Ministry claimed the move was linked to an inquiry into the Israeli action against protestors on the flotilla in international waters. The case is being tried by Istanbul's 11th High Criminal Court and is said to include 35 defendants.Warrants Issued for ArrestTurkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced that arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Avik Moskovich were issued on July 14, 2026.After the warrants, the Justice Ministry requested Turkey’s Interior Ministry to commence steps to seek Red Notices for the two men and pertinent documents were also given to the Foreign Ministry.Red Notice - a request to identify and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, based on a valid arrest warrant, sent through Interpol to all member countries. It is not in itself an international warrant of arrest. Turkey Lists Multiple ChargesTurkish authorities said the case concerns Israel's alleged violent intervention against civilians en route to Gaza with humanitarian supplies and the following detention of activists.The Turkish case allegedly comprises charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, torture, deliberate injury, aggravated loss of liberty, damage to property, aggravated looting and seizure of transportation vehicles.Ankara would continue to seek justice through domestic and international legal systems for alleged atrocities against Palestinians, Gurlek added.Case Arising from Flotilla InterceptionThis lawsuit concerns Israel's interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Cyprus in May 2026. The vessels had departed Turkey with humanitarian aid and in an effort to challenge restrictions on access to Gaza.The event received more attention later when Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir published video of imprisoned activists from the flotilla, some shown kneeling with their hands bound behind their backs.The recent decision by Turkey has added yet another source of irritation between Ankara and Israel, whose relations have already been strained by the Gaza conflict and wider concerns over Israeli military policy in the region.
