A court in Istanbul has ruled to submit a request to Interpol for the issuance of a “red notice” against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This decision is part of a case concerning the interception by Israeli military of the humanitarian “Flotilla of Resilience” (Global Sumud Flotilla), which was heading to the Gaza Strip. There is currently no information indicating that Interpol has already approved the request.
The interim ruling was issued on July 14 by Istanbul’s 11th Heavy Penal Court, which is handling the case in absentia. The Turkish side intends to secure an international search for Benjamin Netanyahu and his potential arrest to ensure his participation in the proceedings. Alongside the prime minister, other high-ranking Israeli officials are also being tried in Turkey in connection with this case.
The case of the humanitarian flotilla
The legal proceedings are linked to the interception of the “Flotilla of Resilience” in early October 2025. Dozens of vessels carrying humanitarian aid and several hundred activists, including Greta Thunberg, attempted to reach the Gaza Strip and break the maritime blockade imposed by Israel.
Israeli military forces stopped the ships and transported those on board to Israel, where they were subsequently deported. The flotilla’s organizers claimed that the operation took place in international waters and violated international law.
Israel described the voyage as an attempt to unlawfully breach the maritime blockade and enter a combat zone.
The country’s authorities stated that humanitarian assistance could have been delivered to Gaza through agreed-upon channels.
The Istanbul prosecutor’s office launched an investigation following the detention of Turkish citizens who were on board the vessels.
Interpol must make the final decision
A Turkish court cannot independently declare Netanyahu internationally wanted. The submitted materials must be reviewed by Interpol’s General Secretariat to ensure compliance with the organization’s rules.
A “red notice” constitutes a request to law enforcement agencies of Interpol’s member states to locate an individual and, if necessary, temporarily detain them pending a decision on extradition.
However, it does not serve as an international arrest warrant: each country independently decides whether to act on such a request.
Interpol’s charter prohibits the organization from intervening in matters that are predominantly political or military in nature. Therefore, the Istanbul court’s ruling marks the beginning of the procedure but does not confirm that the notice has already been published.
Charges against Israeli officials
In November 2025, a Turkish court issued national arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials. In addition to Netanyahu, the list included Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
In April 2026, the prosecutor’s office submitted an indictment to the court against 35 individuals. They are accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, torture, unlawful deprivation of liberty, property damage, aggravated robbery, and seizure of vehicles.
The prosecution is seeking life imprisonment under aggravating circumstances for the defendants, as well as additional multi-year sentences.
A verdict in the case has not yet been delivered.
Turkey’s request is not directly related to the International Criminal Court warrant issued against Netanyahu in November 2024 on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC warrant operates independently and does not obligate Interpol to grant the Turkish court’s request.
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