Turkey Requests Interpol Red Notice for Benjamin Netanyahu Over Gaza Aid Flotilla Raid

Turkey has formally requested Interpol red notices for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another suspect following a domestic criminal case concerning a violent raid on the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced that arrest warrants had been issued for Mr Netanyahu and a second individual on multiple charges, which include genocide, crimes against humanity, torture, property damage, and the hijacking of means of transport. The legal action is part of a broader case targeting 35 people over military actions conducted in international waters. Interpol has not yet confirmed whether it will accept the request.

Mr Netanyahu is already facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in November 2024 regarding alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. An Interpol Red Notice serves as an alert to global law enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition or similar legal steps, though it is not an international arrest warrant itself.

Istanbul's 11th High Criminal Court issued the arrest warrants for Mr Netanyahu and the other suspect on July 14. Reports identify the second suspect as Afek Moskovitch, an Israeli army lieutenant accused of participating in the destruction of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza. Mr Gurlek emphasized that judicial proceedings remain active regarding the armed intervention against civilians transporting humanitarian aid to Gaza in international waters, as well as the subsequent detention of activists.

Following the warrants, the Justice Ministry requested the Interior Ministry to pursue Interpol Red Notices for the two individuals, with the documents also submitted to the Foreign Ministry. Mr Gurlek stated that authorities are determined to use all available avenues under national and international law to prevent crimes in Gaza from being ignored or shielded by impunity.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, also referred to as the Gaza Flotilla, departed from the Turkish port of Marmaris on May 14, carrying more than 400 activists from approximately 40 countries across dozens of boats. Israeli forces intercepted the mission in international waters on May 18-19, roughly 460 kilometres from Gaza, and detained all 429 passengers, according to organizers. The majority of those detained were deported to Istanbul on May 21. This marked the sixth flotilla dispatched to Gaza since the conflict began following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Upon returning, multiple participants reported experiencing beatings and mistreatment while in Israeli custody. Australian activist Juliet Lamont described being dragged, beaten, and sexually assaulted during a four-day detention she termed absolute hell, while Sam Woripa Watson reported suffering a fractured rib and witnessing activists being tasered and struck with rubber bullets. These allegations have been firmly denied by Israeli authorities.