Istanbul prosecutor issues arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials including Netanyahu on genocide charges

Istanbul prosecutor issues arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials including Netanyahu on genocide charges — Meaning and prospects

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday that it has issued arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yisrael Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir, Army Chief Eyal Zamir and Navy Commander David Saar Salama, on charges of genocide (Article 76) and crimes against humanity (Article 77) under Turkish Penal Code.

In its statement, the office alleges that the State of Israel carried out a “systematic genocide” in Gaza, causing thousands of civilian deaths, rendering residential areas uninhabitable and carrying out attacks on hospitals and humanitarian missions. Among the cited incidents: the killing of six‑year‑old Hind Rajab by 335 bullets; the Al‑Ahli Baptist Hospital attack on 17 October 2023 claimed ~500 lives; the bombing of the Turkish‑Palestinian Friendship Hospital on 21 March 2025.

Implementation and implications:

Legally, Turkish courts have issued the warrants; practical enforcement depends on suspects’ presence in Turkey or international cooperation (Interpol Red Notices, extradition requests).

Yeni Safak

Since the suspects are reportedly outside Turkey, immediate arrests are unlikely; the move may serve more as a symbolic or diplomatic pressure tactic.

Politically, the decision signals Turkey’s assertive stance in the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict and may heighten diplomatic – security tension with Israel.

Represents a rare instance of national jurisdiction being used to target high‑level foreign officials for international crimes.

Raises questions about the feasibility of such prosecutions and the role of universal jurisdiction.

From a human‑rights perspective, the decision could be a landmark, but realization into actual trials remains complex.

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