Turkiye Issues Genocide Warrants against Netanyahu and Senior Israeli Officials

 By Palestine Chronicle Staff

Tensions are running high between Turkiye and Israel. (Image: Palestine Chronicle)

Istanbul issued arrest warrants for 37 Israeli political and military leaders on genocide charges, days after the Gaza Tribunal concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide.

The Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office issued arrest warrants on Friday for 37 individuals, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on charges of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. 

The warrants also name Israel’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, among other senior military and security officials.

The decision comes just days after Istanbul hosted the Gaza Tribunal, a civil society-led international hearing convened to collect testimony and legal analysis on Israel’s assault on Gaza. 

Over several days, jurists, scholars, medical professionals, and survivors presented evidence of mass killings, forced displacement, starvation, and deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure. 

The Tribunal found that Israel’s actions meet the legal definition of genocide and called on states to activate universal jurisdiction and pursue those responsible.

Following Friday’s announcement, the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas welcomed the prosecutor’s decision, calling it consistent with “the values of justice, humanity, and deep ties between the Turkish and Palestinian people.” 

The movement urged other countries to take similar legal steps to pursue Israeli officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The warrants were issued as Israel continues military operations in Gaza despite the ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10. Palestinian sources have documented nearly 200 violations of the ceasefire, including bombardments and home demolitions. 

Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 68,865 Palestinians and wounded more than 170,670, the majority of them women and children. The United Nations estimates reconstruction costs at roughly $70 billion due to the scale of destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.

The issuance of arrest warrants does not mean immediate detention, as those named are not in Turkish custody. However, the move significantly raises the legal and diplomatic stakes, particularly as pressure builds internationally to end longstanding impunity for Israeli political and military leaders.

(PC, AJA)