Ankara, Aug 21 (V7N) – Turkey has formally requested Interpol to issue a Red Notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of "genocide" and other crimes related to Israel's interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in May .
Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced on Friday that his ministry had asked the Interior Ministry to seek Red Notice alerts for Netanyahu and another Israeli identified as Afek Moskovitch . The request follows arrest warrants issued by an Istanbul court on July 14, 2026, for both individuals on charges of "genocide" .
Netanyahu and Moskovitch are being prosecuted for "crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional assault and battery, torture, destruction of property, aggravated looting, and hijacking of transport vehicles," according to the Turkish Justice Ministry . The case is being heard by Istanbul's 11th High Criminal Court and involves 35 defendants .
Flotilla Interception Sparks Outcry
The incident stems from the Global Sumud Flotilla—approximately 50 vessels carrying some 430 activists—that departed Turkey in May attempting to break Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid . The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean, with activists detained and subsequently deported .
The interception triggered international outcry, with France, Italy and Australia also launching judicial proceedings . Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir further provoked outrage by releasing a video showing himself taunting flotilla activists who were on their knees with their hands tied .
Interpol Red Notice Process
A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition or similar legal proceedings . However, the request does not guarantee Interpol will issue the notice—the organization reviews applications for compliance with its rules, including prohibitions on interventions of a political, military, or religious character .
Even if issued, each Interpol member country decides under its own laws whether to act on a Red Notice. Interpol itself has no authority to arrest anyone or compel a member state to make an arrest .
Turkey's Stance
"We absolutely do not accept the notion that the Netanyahu administration, which is pursuing a policy of genocide in Gaza, is immune from prosecution," Gurlek said . "We will not allow the crimes committed in Gaza to be covered up, nor will we allow those responsible to be protected by a shield of impunity."
end/wd/rh/
