Turkey has issued an international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another Israeli citizen, Afek Moskovitch, as part of an investigation into the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the detention of activists by Israeli forces. Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced the news.
"As part of the legal proceedings related to the attack in international waters against the Flotilla activists and in accordance with the arrest warrants issued on July 14, 2026, against Binyamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch for 'genocide,' the Ministry of Justice has requested the Ministry of the Interior to issue a 'red notice' for their international arrest," the Turkish minister stated.
In Turkey, Netanyahu and Moskovitch are being prosecuted for "crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, assault and battery, torture, destruction of property, aggravated looting, and hijacking of means of transport," the ministry specified.
In May, approximately 430 crew members from fifty vessels intercepted by the Israeli army in the Mediterranean west of Cyprus (including about thirty Italians and two Sardinians) were forcibly taken to Israel and subsequently detained in Ktziot prison before being deported. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sparked international outrage after releasing a video showing himself among the detained activists, forced to their knees and with their hands tied .
"We welcome any judicial initiative that recognizes the illegality of the Israeli government's actions against the Global Sumud Flotilla and that helps end the impunity that has lasted too long." Maria Elena Delia, Italian spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla, said: "What we have suffered—attacks, illegal interceptions in international waters, seizures of vessels, arrests, and violence—is serious and must have consequences in terms of international justice," Delia added.
