Turkey Seeks Red Notice for the International Arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch

Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gürlek announced that a red notice has been requested for the international arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli national Afek Moskovitch.

The measure is linked to proceedings concerning the genocide in Gaza, as well as the attack on Global Sumud Flotilla activists in international waters.

According to Gürlek, the request was submitted to the Interior Ministry following the arrest warrants issued on July 14, 2026, against Netanyahu and Moskovitch on charges of “genocide.”

“As part of the legal proceedings concerning the attack on the Flotilla activists in international waters, and based on the arrest warrants issued on July 14, 2026, against Benjamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch for ‘genocide,’ the Justice Ministry has asked the Interior Ministry to issue a ‘red notice’ for their international arrest,” Gürlek said.

The incident involving the Flotilla took place several months ago. In May, around 430 crew members from 50 vessels, intercepted by the Israeli military in the Mediterranean, west of Cyprus, were forcibly transferred to Israel. They were initially held at Ktziot prison and later deported.

Strong international reactions were also triggered by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after he published a video showing him among the detained activists, who had been forced to kneel with their hands bound.

Gürlek said that Netanyahu and Moskovitch face charges of crimes against humanity, genocide, severe deprivation of liberty, intentional bodily harm, mistreatment, property damage, aggravated robbery and seizure of means of transport.

The Turkish minister also stressed that Ankara does not accept the Israeli prime minister and his government being treated as immune from accountability for their actions in Gaza.

“We categorically reject the idea that the Netanyahu administration, which is carrying out a policy of genocide in Gaza, is untouchable and cannot be held accountable for its actions.

We will not allow the crimes committed in Gaza to be covered up, nor will we allow those responsible to be protected behind a shield of impunity. We will resolutely use every means permitted by national and international law,” Gürlek said.