Turkey issues arrest warrants against Netanyahu, 37 members of Israeli senior leadership

Turkey issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Sweden Herald

The country accuses Netanyahu and 36 other Israelis of “systematic” genocide and crimes against humanity. Among the others named are Defense Minister Israel Katz, Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has previously issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu for suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Turkey issues arrest warrants against 37 members of Israeli senior leadership

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Turkey has issued arrest warrants for 37 members of Israel's senior political and military leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on charges of "genocide," the Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office announced on Friday.

The charges stem from allegations that Israeli military operations have systematically targeted civilians and infrastructure in Gaza, blocked humanitarian aid, and prevented access for medical assistance. The investigation was opened following complaints filed with the Istanbul courts in October 2025.

Turkey has strongly criticized Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which began after Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel in October 2023, and murdered some 1,200 people and kidnapped more than 250.

Since the start of the war, Ankara has gradually suspended all diplomatic and trade relations with Israel.

"As of today, the State of Israel has systematically committed genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people, including women and children," the office accused. "Thousands more have been injured, and many residential areas have become uninhabitable."

The warrant names Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, accusing them of being "implicated in crimes against humanity and genocide."

Hamas applauds Turkey

Hamas commended Turkey's announcement, stating the "step reaffirms the principled stance of the Turkish people and their leadership, who are dedicated to the values of justice and humanity, and to the solidarity that connects them to our oppressed Palestinian people, who have faced, and continue to endure, the most heinous extermination campaign in modern history at the hands of the war criminals among the leaders of the fascist occupation."

In response to Turkey's call for arrests, MK Avigdor Liberman posted on X/Twitter, "Erdogan's arrest warrants against senior Israelis clarify why Turkey must not be present in the Gaza Strip—indirectly or directly."

Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel, Gideon Sa'ar, also responded in a post on X, saying, "The General Prosecutor's Office of Istanbul, which, as recalled, recently led to the arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul solely because he dared to run against Erdogan, has issued 'arrest warrants' against senior Israeli officials.

"In Erdogan's Turkey, the judicial system has long since become a tool for suppressing political rivals and arresting journalists, judges, and mayors. Israel contemptuously rejects the latest PR stunt from the school of the tyrant Erdogan."