A new development has emerged in the ongoing trial in Türkiye concerning the attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla. A formal process has been launched to issue red notices for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch so that they can be internationally wanted.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that the prosecution of 35 defendants, including Netanyahu and Moskovitch, is continuing in case file No. 2026/108 before the Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court.
Request for red notices submitted to the Interior Ministry
Gürlek said that a new step had been taken following the arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu and Moskovitch on July 14, 2026.
A request was submitted to the Interior Ministry for red notices to be issued so that the two defendants could be internationally wanted. The relevant documents were also sent to the Foreign Ministry.
As a result, the judicial proceedings against Netanyahu in Türkiye have entered the stage of initiating an international search procedure.
They are on trial over the attack on the Sumud Flotilla
The case centers on the intervention in international waters against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which had set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Netanyahu and the other defendants are being tried on serious charges including crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, torture, damage to property, aggravated looting, and the hijacking or detention of means of transport.
An arrest warrant had previously been issued for Netanyahu
The judicial process against Netanyahu in Türkiye reached a significant stage in 2025. At the request of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, arrest warrants were issued in November 2025 for 37 Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, on charges of crimes against humanity and genocide.
Those named in the arrest warrants included Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and senior Israeli military officials.
INTERPOL will make the final decision
The launch of the red notice process by Türkiye does not mean that INTERPOL has automatically issued a red notice for Netanyahu.
Türkiye’s request will be forwarded to INTERPOL in line with international procedures, and the organization will assess it under its own rules. Therefore, at this stage, it is legally more accurate to say that Türkiye has launched the formal process for issuing a red notice rather than that a red notice has been issued for Netanyahu.
The trial before the Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court is continuing.
