The authorities in Türkiye have hit their stride regarding international humanitarian law, a subject they are not always consistent about.  The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the defence minister Israel Katz, and others, are facing arrest warrants for genocide from the Istanbul Criminal Court of Peace.  This is plucky, assertive, and undoubtedly, from the perspective of the Erdoğan government, stealing publicity.  It also brings up that hoary old chestnut of parochial interest and the merits of the accuser.

A November 7 statement from the Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s office said that as many as 37 suspects were on the list, though not all were named.  We know that it includes, in addition to Netanyahu and Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and Navy Commander David Saar Salama.  They are charged under Article 77 (crimes against humanity) and Article 76 (genocide) of the Turkish Penal Code.

Reference is made to the March 21 bombing of the Turkish Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the October 17, 2023 attack on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, the deliberate destruction of medical equipment by Israeli soldiers and the blockading of Gaza and the denial of humanitarian aid to the enclave.  The October attack on the humanitarian Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, and the seizure by Israeli forces of crew members is also mentioned.

This enterprise is not without problems.  Türkiye is not particularly amenable to punishing genocide within the context of its own, strictly invigilated history.  Such nationalistic, convenient laxity........

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