Turkey seeks Interpol red notice against Netanyahu over Gaza aid flotilla case

Turkey’s recent request for an Interpol red notice against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, based on arrest warrants issued against him over the attack on activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, has raised questions about the significance of the move and the next steps following the request.

Turkey’s Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said judicial proceedings in the case were still ongoing before the 11th High Criminal Court in Istanbul. He said the case involves 35 defendants, including Netanyahu.

“We absolutely do not accept the understanding that the Netanyahu government, which is carrying out a policy of genocide in Gaza, is immune and cannot be held accountable,” Gurlek said.

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Netanyahu faces charges including crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, torture, damage to property, aggravated looting and hijacking over the armed attack and detention of activists in international waters.

A red notice is an international request issued by Interpol at the request of one of its member states, including Turkey, to locate a wanted person and provisionally arrest them pending extradition.

However, a red notice is not itself a binding international arrest warrant. It is an international alert circulated to Interpol’s 196 member states. Turkish judicial authorities, through the Justice Ministry in coordination with Interpol’s national bureau in Ankara, can request red notices against people wanted in cases involving crimes such as aggression, terrorism, organised crime, money laundering and fleeing judicial sentences.

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