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A Turkish court issued an international arrest warrant on Tuesday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his apprehension.
The interim ruling was delivered by the Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court as part of the ongoing trial concerning the Israeli military's interception of the Gaza-bound Sumud Flotilla.
The court’s decision stems from a sweeping public lawsuit filed against Netanyahu and several other high-ranking Israeli officials. The comprehensive list of charges against the Israeli leader includes "crimes against humanity," "genocide," "intentional injury," and "torment."
Furthermore, the indictment accuses the defendants of "property damage," "aggravated looting," "hindering the movement of transportation vehicles," "hijacking or detention," and "depriving individuals of their liberty.
In November 2025, an Istanbul court had issued preliminary arrest warrants for Netanyahu and dozens of other officials in response to both the flotilla raid and broader genocidal acts in Gaza.
The legal action advanced further in April 2026, when the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office finalized an indictment demanding aggravated life sentences for the Israeli leadership, arguing that Turkish courts have jurisdiction under international maritime law.
The new red notice marks the court's formal move to seek international enforcement of those charges.
The "Global Sumud Flotilla"—taking its name from the Arabic word for steadfastness or resilience—was an international civilian maritime initiative.
Organized by non-governmental organizations and global activists, the convoy set sail in late 2025 to break the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid.
In October 2025, Israeli naval forces intercepted the flotilla's vessels in international waters.
During the military intervention, Israeli troops boarded the civilian ships, seized the vessels, and detained hundreds of activists from various countries, who were held in custody before being deported.
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