Gaza Herald _Turkey’s Justice Minister Akin Gürlek said Friday that his ministry has asked the Turkish Interior Ministry to issue a Red Notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of a legal case accusing him of genocide.
Gürlek said the request is linked to ongoing judicial proceedings over the Israeli attack on activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted in international waters while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
According to the minister, Istanbul’s 11th High Criminal Court is continuing to examine case No. 2026/108, involving 35 defendants, including Netanyahu and Afik Moskowitz.
Gürlek said arrest warrants were issued on July 14, 2026, for Netanyahu and Moskowitz on genocide-related charges. Following those warrants, the Justice Ministry requested that the Interior Ministry seek Red Notices against both men to facilitate their international pursuit. The relevant documents were also forwarded to the Foreign Ministry, he said.
The two defendants are being prosecuted in connection with the alleged armed attack and detention of activists in international waters. The charges include crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, torture, property damage, aggravated looting and hijacking of transportation vehicles, according to Gürlek.
The Turkish justice minister said Ankara rejects any approach that treats Netanyahu’s government as being above the law or immune from prosecution over its actions in Gaza.
“We will not forget the crimes committed in Gaza and will continue to use all available national and international legal mechanisms with determination,” Gürlek said.
He added that Turkey would continue to support the Palestinian people and pursue legal measures against those accused of crimes against humanity.
The case stems from an incident on October 1, 2025, when Israeli forces intercepted 42 vessels belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla as they sailed through international waters toward Gaza. Hundreds of international activists aboard the vessels were detained and transferred to Ktzi’ot prison before deportations began on October 3.
The Turkish proceedings represent another legal effort to pursue Israeli officials over alleged violations committed in connection with the Gaza war and the interception of humanitarian activists seeking to reach the territory.
