By Bosphorus News Foreign Affairs Desk
Türkiye has started the process of seeking Red Notices for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch, following arrest warrants issued against the two men in July over the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced the move Friday, saying proceedings are under way against 35 defendants before Istanbul's 11th High Criminal Court.
Netanyahu and Moskovitch were issued arrest warrants on July 14 on a genocide charge, according to Gürlek. The Justice Ministry has since asked the Interior Ministry to seek Red Notices so they can be wanted internationally, while the relevant documents have been sent to the Foreign Ministry.
No Red Notice has yet been issued.
Gürlek Targets Netanyahu in Direct Remarks
The case concerns Israel's interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and the subsequent detention of activists aboard its vessels.
Gürlek said Netanyahu and Moskovitch are being tried on charges including crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, ill-treatment, property damage, aggravated robbery and the seizure or hijacking of transportation vehicles.
Those are allegations before a Turkish court and have not resulted in convictions.
The minister also made clear that Ankara sees the case as part of its wider legal campaign over Gaza.
"We do not accept the notion that the Netanyahu administration, which is pursuing a policy of genocide in Gaza, is untouchable and beyond accountability," Gürlek said.
He said Türkiye would use "all means available under national and international law" and would not allow those it holds responsible for crimes in Gaza to be protected by impunity.
Israel has repeatedly rejected allegations that its military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide.
The Red Notice Move Covers Two of 35 Defendants
The Istanbul case currently has 35 defendants, but Friday's Red Notice move applies only to Netanyahu and Moskovitch.
An indictment filed in April named Netanyahu alongside senior Israeli political and military figures including Defense Minister Israel Katz, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Navy Commander David Saar Salama.
Moskovitch was also among the 35 people named.
The current proceedings follow an earlier stage of the Turkish investigation. In November 2025, a Turkish court issued arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, on genocide and crimes-against-humanity allegations linked to Gaza and the Sumud flotilla.
Israel responded sharply at the time. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said Israel "firmly rejects, with contempt" the Turkish move and described it as a political publicity stunt.
Friday's announcement concerns the later 35-defendant court case and, more narrowly, the July arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Moskovitch.
There was no immediate new public response from Netanyahu's office or Israel's Foreign Ministry to Gürlek's latest announcement.
What a Red Notice Would Actually Do
The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) describes a Red Notice as a request for police around the world to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar proceedings.
It is not an international arrest warrant, and INTERPOL cannot order a member state to make an arrest. Each country decides what legal effect to give a Red Notice under its own laws.
Türkiye's request would also have to pass an INTERPOL compliance review before publication.
Article 3 of the organization's Constitution prohibits INTERPOL from undertaking activities of a predominantly political, military, religious or racial character. That does not automatically exclude cases involving political figures or armed conflicts: INTERPOL says its rules also recognize international cooperation in cases involving genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Requests are assessed individually, including whether political or military elements outweigh the ordinary criminal-law character of the case.
That review is likely to be central to Türkiye's bid. The allegations concern a serving prime minister, military operations and alleged international crimes arising from the Gaza conflict.
Separate From Netanyahu's ICC Warrant
Netanyahu is already subject to a separate arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on November 21, 2024.
The ICC accuses him of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, including starvation as a method of warfare, murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. The ICC case does not charge Netanyahu with genocide.
Israel rejects the allegations and disputes the ICC's jurisdiction.
The two tracks are legally distinct. The ICC warrant was issued by an international court under the Rome Statute. Türkiye's latest move seeks international police cooperation based on arrest warrants issued in a Turkish criminal case.
For now, the immediate development is narrower: Ankara has begun the procedure for extending the July 14 Turkish warrants against Netanyahu and Moskovitch into the INTERPOL system. Whether a Red Notice is ultimately published will depend on INTERPOL's review.
Sources: Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Justice; Justice Minister Akın Gürlek; Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office; Anadolu Agency; INTERPOL; International Criminal Court; The Times of Israel; Israel Hayom; Bosphorus News reporting and review.