Turkiye accuses Israel’s Netanyahu of ‘genocide’, seeks Interpol warrant

What the report says

Turkiye has asked for an international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, escalating a legal and diplomatic dispute tied to Israel’s military interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla bound for Gaza. According to Al Jazeera’s report, Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said domestic arrest warrants were issued on July 14 and that Ankara is now seeking Interpol red notices for Netanyahu and another suspect.

The Turkish case stems from Israel’s attack on activists aboard the flotilla in May, when Israeli forces stopped vessels in international waters and detained participants before deporting them, the report said. Turkish authorities say the charges include genocide, crimes against humanity and torture, and that the case covers 35 people. Ankara has portrayed the move as part of a broader effort to hold Israel accountable for its conduct in Gaza.

The development comes amid already strained relations between Turkiye and Israel. Turkey, a NATO member, has been among the harshest critics of Israel’s war in Gaza, while Israel denies accusations of genocide and other abuses. Al Jazeera also reported that France, Italy and Australia have opened judicial proceedings linked to the flotilla incident, underscoring the wider international fallout.

The exchange of accusations between the two governments followed the legal announcement, with Netanyahu’s office rejecting Turkiye’s move and Erdogan’s office responding by criticizing Israel’s rhetoric. The case matters because it could deepen diplomatic isolation for Israel and test how far foreign governments can pursue accountability claims over the Gaza conflict through international legal channels.