Turkey Issues Arrest Warrants Against Netanyahu and 37 Israeli Officials

Darwin,  08 November –

Turkey has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 37 members of his government, accusing them of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip under the guise of a military operation.

According to a report by CNN, the warrants were issued on Friday by the Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor in Istanbul. In addition to Netanyahu, notable figures named in the warrants include Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Interior Minister Ya’al Zamir.

The warrants cite charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, and the obstruction of humanitarian aid—specifically the interception of an international relief flotilla in September.

Shortly after the warrants were issued, Israel condemned the move. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the action a “PR stunt” by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, saying, “Erdoğan has turned Turkey’s judiciary into a weapon to silence political opponents and imprison dissenting journalists, judges, and mayors.”

It is noteworthy that Turkey joined South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last year, which accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza. The Istanbul prosecutor’s office issued the warrants at a time when a fragile ceasefire is in place in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas, which governs Gaza, welcomed the move. In a statement on Friday, the group’s high command said, “This decision reaffirms the principled stance of the Turkish people and their leadership on the Gaza issue.”