Türkiye Issues Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued arrest warrants for 36 senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, Orda.kz reports.

Others named in the case include Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

In a statement, prosecutors said the investigation concerns Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza:

As a result of the genocide and crimes against humanity that Israel has systematically committed in the Gaza Strip to this day, thousands of people, including women and children, have been killed, thousands more have been injured, and settlements have been destroyed, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said.

The statement also referenced Israel’s actions against the Freedom Flotilla, whose vessels were intercepted in October while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Among those on board was Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg. Because the Israeli officials are outside Turkish jurisdiction, the Istanbul Criminal Court has ordered their arrest in absentia.

In a separate case earlier in 2024, the International Criminal Court also issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli prime minister on war crimes charges.

Original Author: Oksana Matvienko