A court in Istanbul, Turkey, ordered on 14 July that an international arrest warrant be sought against Benjamin Netanyahu in connection with the Israeli boarding of the Sumud Flotilla – which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza – in international waters on 1 October 2025.
In a significant interim ruling adopted by the Turkish judiciary following the investigation launched by Turkey into the Sumud Flotilla case, which is being heard by the Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court, the court ordered the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice against the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, one of the main defendants in the legal proceedings initiated by the Turkish authorities, according to reports in the country’s media.
The defendants, including Netanyahu, face several serious charges under international law and the Turkish Penal Code, according to the Turkish press. The indictment states that public charges have been brought for offences including “crimes against humanity” and “genocide” for the indiscriminate attacks against civilians in Gaza, as well as charges of “damage to property”, “aggravated theft”, “intentional bodily harm”, “torture”, “obstruction of the movement of transport vehicles”, “kidnapping or unlawful detention” and “deprivation of liberty” in connection with the boarding of the Sumud flotilla and the unlawful detention of dozens of activists from Türkiye and other countries.
Consequently, the court decided, by means of an interim ruling adopted during the proceedings, to issue an Interpol red notice against Benjamin Netanyahu. The measure forms part of the steps aimed at ensuring the defendant’s appearance at trial, whilst the legal proceedings continue in the Istanbul courts.
37 senior Israeli officials accused of genocide over the Gaza offensive
This announcement follows on from a previous ruling issued in November 2025, when an Istanbul court issued preliminary arrest warrants against 37 government officials and senior Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for serious violations of international law during the raid on the Sumud Flotilla and for alleged crimes — including that of genocide — committed during the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
In April 2026, the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment seeking life sentences without the possibility of parole for Netanyahu and the other defendants, arguing that the Turkish courts have jurisdiction under international maritime law.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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