Turkish court issues international arrest request for Netanyahu
A Turkish court hearing the case related to the Sumud humanitarian flotilla has issued an interim ruling seeking an international arrest notice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu through an Interpol Red Notice.
Halk TV reported the decision.
According to the report, an Istanbul criminal court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and the other defendants on charges including crimes against humanity, genocide, unlawful deprivation of liberty, ill-treatment, intentional bodily harm, robbery and seizure of a vehicle.
The report said the court had previously opened criminal proceedings against Netanyahu and 34 senior Israeli officials based on an indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, which seeks life imprisonment for the defendants.
In November 2025, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel’s leadership on charges including genocide, the mass bombardment of the Gaza Strip and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The Sumud flotilla is an international civilian humanitarian initiative bringing together activists, doctors and volunteers from dozens of countries. According to the organisers, its missions aim to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip by sea and draw international attention to the situation in the enclave and Israel’s naval blockade.
Israeli authorities have repeatedly said they will not allow the blockade to be breached and have intercepted flotilla vessels, directing them to Israeli ports. Activists on board were detained and later deported.
In May 2026, a flotilla comprising 54 vessels and 426 participants from 39 countries was intercepted by the Israeli military.
