(Washington, D.C., November 7, 2025) — In response to Turkey's Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issuing arrest warrants under universal jurisdiction laws for 37 Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza, DAWN issues the following statement:
"Turkey's arrest warrants against Israeli officials demonstrate what all countries with universal jurisdiction can and should do immediately," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Executive Director of DAWN. "Countries also have a legal obligation under the Geneva Conventions and Genocide Convention to prosecute or extradite perpetrators of these crimes. Every country should follow Turkey's lead and fulfill its obligation under international law to hold war criminals accountable."
"Turkish authorities should submit these arrest warrants to Interpol immediately and ensure that international mechanisms are fully deployed to hold Israeli war criminals accountable," said Raed Jarrar, Advocacy Director at DAWN. "The international community has spent decades building institutions and legal frameworks precisely for moments like this."
