Turkey Issues Interpol Red Notice for Netanyahu

A court in Istanbul, Turkey, has issued an international arrest warrant through Interpol for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The warrant, reported by the Sabah newspaper on Tuesday, was decided by the Istanbul Criminal Court handling the case of the Global Sumud Flotilla activists, who were detained by Israeli authorities. The court classified Netanyahu as a dangerous criminal in its ruling.

In November 2025, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had previously issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials over genocide in the Gaza Strip. The latest legal action follows a new investigation launched after Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in October. Medical professionals, including psychologists, who examined the activists after their deportation from Israel, presented evidence of crimes against humanity to the court. The activists had stated their intention was solely to bring essential supplies to the Palestinian people in need in Gaza.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry previously described the Israeli navy’s actions as piracy, asserting that attacks on peace activists constitute a serious violation of international law. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly condemned Netanyahu amid Israeli military operations against Iran and Hamas, reaffirming Ankara’s commitment to supporting nations subjected to Israeli aggression.