Netanyahu orders potential ICC case against Erdogan over Kurdish treatment, alleged Hamas funding

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed an inter-ministerial team and the director of the country's International Law Department to prepare a potential case against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the International Criminal Court (ICC), Firstpost reported, citing Israeli news outlet i24NEWS.

The proposed case would focus on allegations concerning Erdogan's treatment of Kurdish minorities in Turkey and his government's alleged financial support for Hamas.

The move comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey, which intensified after Erdogan said he had approached Interpol to advance efforts to arrest Netanyahu.

The Israeli initiative marks another escalation between the two governments, with Israeli officials pursuing a potential legal response to Erdogan's actions.

Proposed case targets Erdogan over Kurdish treatment

According to Firstpost, the case being prepared would primarily focus on allegations concerning Erdogan's treatment of Kurdish minorities in Turkey. It would also address allegations that his government has provided financial support to Hamas.

Neither Israel nor Turkey has signed the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, meaning the court does not have direct jurisdiction over either country.

However, Israel could theoretically seek to bring a case before the ICC through a proxy party, according to legal experts.

Sources told i24NEWS that Israel hopes it will not ultimately need to file the case and instead intends to use preparations for the case as leverage against Erdogan and as a deterrent.

Justice Ministry officials said Netanyahu had declined to comment on the reported case.

Meanwhile, in November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with Israel's military operations in Gaza.