Turkey announced it will pursue an Interpol red notice for the arrest of Israeli Prime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of a domestic criminal investigation related to an incident involving an aid flotilla attempting to reach Gaza.
The Turkish Justice Minister, Akin Gurlek, stated that arrest warrants have been issued for Netanyahu and one other individual. The charges include genocide, crimes against humanity, and torture, stemming from the Israeli interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters. This action is part of a broader case involving 35 people.
"In line with the arrest warrants issued against Benjamin Netanyahu ... our justice ministry has requested that the interior ministry issue (Interpol) red notices for them so that they may be sought internationally," Gurlek conveyed via a post on X, emphasizing Turkey's commitment to holding Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza through all available legal avenues.
A red notice is a global alert issued by Interpol requesting law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition. Interpol itself reviews such requests before deciding on issuance.
Responding to the announcement, Netanyahu's office dismissed the move as a "pathetic attempt to intimidate the leaders and soldiers of Israel" and asserted that it would be ineffective. The statement also referred to Turkey as "the only true democracy in the Middle East."
The diplomatic friction between Turkey and Israel has intensified recently, extending to their interactions concerning Syria. Following Israeli airstrikes on a Syrian air base, which Israel suggested could host Turkish troops, Turkey issued a condemnation, though Syria has denied any plans to deploy Turkish forces to the location. Tensions were further exacerbated by concerns over Turkey's influence in Syria, particularly following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Ankara has suggested that Israel's rhetoric and actions are influenced by an upcoming parliamentary election in Israel.
