Türkiye seeks Interpol notice for Netanyahu over Gaza flotilla

ANKARA

Türkiye has requested an Interpol red notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over an attack on activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said on Aug. 21.

In a post on X, Gürlek said judicial proceedings in the case were continuing before a criminal court in Istanbul. Filed under No. 2026/108, the case involves 35 defendants, including Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch, for whom Türkiye also requested a red notice.

He said arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Moskovitch were issued July 14 on genocide charges. Following the warrants, the Justice Ministry asked the Interior Ministry to seek Interpol red notices for the two, while relevant documents were also sent to the Foreign Ministry, Gürlek elaborated.

The proceedings concern an armed intervention against civilians delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza in international waters and the detention of activists. The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a group seeking to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip.

The charges include crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, torture, property damage, aggravated robbery and hijacking of transportation vehicles, Gürlek said.

“We will not allow the crimes committed in Gaza to be covered up or those responsible to be protected by a shield of impunity,” Gürlek wrote.

“We will take all necessary steps with determination so that those who commit crimes against humanity are held accountable before the law.”