Turkey issues genocide arrest warrant against Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli PM, ministers and army chief accused of crimes against humanity ‘perpetrated systematically’ in Gaza

Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, File picture: Richard Drew/AP

Turkey has issued arrest warrants for alleged genocide against the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and senior officials within his government.

Among 37 suspects listed were the Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, the national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the army chief Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, said a statement from the Istanbul prosecutor’s office, which did not publish the complete list.

Turkey has accused the officials of “genocide and crimes against humanity” which Israel has “perpetrated systematically” in Gaza.

The statement also refers to the “Turkish-Palestinian friendship hospital”, built by Turkey in the Gaza Strip and bombed by Israel in March.

Turkey last year joined South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the international court of justice.

A fragile ceasefire has been in force in the devastated Palestinian territory since October 10 as part of Donald Trump’s regional peace plan.

— The Guardian