Türkiye Seeks Interpol Red Notice For Netanyahu Over Gaza Flotilla Case

Türkiye has formally requested Interpol Red Notices for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch over a case involving the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.The Istanbul case involves 35 defendants and includes allegations such as genocide, crimes against humanity, torture and unlawful detention. Arrest warrants were issued in July, prompting the latest request. Interpol will review the request before deciding whether to issue the notices. A Red Notice is an international request to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted person; it is not itself an international arrest warrant

Türkiye has requested an Interpol Red Notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of an ongoing criminal case over the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid towards Gaza.
Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the request followed arrest warrants issued by an Istanbul court against Netanyahu and Israeli security figure Afek Moskovitch on July 14.
The case is being handled by Istanbul's 11th High Criminal Court, where 35 defendants are facing prosecution over the incident in international waters.

SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST NETANYAHU

According to Gurlek, the defendants are accused of alleged actions involving the armed interception of civilians delivering humanitarian aid and the detention of activists.
The charges include genocide, crimes against humanity, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, torture, property damage, aggravated robbery and hijacking of transportation.
Türkiye says the arrest warrants prompted its Justice Ministry to ask the Interior Ministry to seek international Red Notices for Netanyahu and Moskovitch, with the relevant documents also sent to the Foreign Ministry.

WHAT A RED NOTICE MEANS

A Red Notice is an international request to law-enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted person pending extradition or similar legal proceedings.
However, it is important to note that an Interpol Red Notice is not itself an international arrest warrant. Each member country decides what legal effect to give the notice under its own laws.
Interpol must also review requests to determine whether they comply with its rules before a notice can be issued.

CASE CENTRES ON GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA

The prosecution is linked to the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international civilian initiative that attempted to transport humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters in May 2026. Activists were detained and later deported, according to reports on the incident.
The Turkish case was developed from an investigation into the treatment of activists and Turkish citizens who participated in the flotilla.

TÜRKİYE REPEATS EARLIER ACTION AGAINST NETANYAHU

The latest request is not Türkiye's first legal action against Netanyahu.
Turkish authorities issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other Israeli officials in November 2025, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity in connection with Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
The new proceedings broaden the legal case to include alleged offences connected specifically to the flotilla interception.

ANKARA VOWS TO PURSUE CASE

Gurlek said Türkiye would continue using national and international legal mechanisms against those it believes are responsible for crimes connected to Gaza.
The move is likely to further deepen tensions between Türkiye and Israel, which have sharply disagreed over Israel's military operations in Gaza and Ankara's support for Palestinian rights.
For now, the key question is whether Interpol will approve Türkiye's request and issue the requested notices. Until that happens, there is no Interpol Red Notice against Netanyahu solely as a result of Türkiye's request.