Turkey has taken its strongest symbolic step yet against Israeli leadership, with an Istanbul court issuing arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and dozens of senior officials on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity . This move aligns with Turkey's sustained, vocal criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, yet it stands in stark contrast to evidence that substantial trade between the two nations has continued despite an official embargo, highlighting a gap between Ankara's rhetoric and its economic actions .
Turkey has positioned itself as a leading international critic of Israel's conduct in Gaza. The arrest warrants, issued on November 7, 2025, target 37 Israeli suspects, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and military chief Eyal Zamir . The Istanbul prosecutor's office stated the warrants relate to systematic "genocide and crimes against humanity" committed in Gaza, specifically citing the bombing of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital and the deadly attack on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital . This legal action is the latest in a series of diplomatic measures; Turkey had previously joined South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide . President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly used the term "genocide" to describe Israel's campaign and has personally criticized allies like Germany for not acknowledging it .
Despite the strong public stance, Turkey's economic relationship with Israel has persisted, revealing a complex and arguably contradictory policy. In August 2025, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that the country had "completely cut off our trade with Israel," a move that included closing its airspace to Israeli aircraft and banning Israeli ships from its ports . However, data from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics tells a different story. Reports indicate that from January to May 2025, after the official embargo was declared, Turkey exported nearly $394 million worth of goods to Israel . While this is a significant drop from the $1.4 billion in the same period of 2024, it demonstrates that trade, likely routed through third countries, did not cease as officially claimed . This has led to domestic criticism within Turkey, with opponents accusing Erdogan's government of a "disconnect between its harsh, anti-Israeli rhetoric and its economic activities" .
The arrest warrants and Turkey's overall stance have significantly intensified diplomatic tensions with Israel, with direct consequences for Ankara's role in regional diplomacy. Israel firmly rejected the warrants, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar dismissing them as a "PR stunt" by "the tyrant Erdogan" and criticizing the Turkish judiciary as a tool for silencing political opponents . This deteriorating relationship has had a tangible impact on Turkey's potential involvement in post-war Gaza. As a key broker in the US-brokered ceasefire, Turkey expressed willingness to contribute troops to an international stabilisation force for Gaza . However, Israel has repeatedly and adamantly opposed any Turkish participation, viewing Ankara as too close to Hamas . US officials have stated that Israel's comfort with the force's composition is a requirement, making Turkey's exclusion highly likely . This sidelines one of the "most capable Muslim armed forces" from a crucial stabilisation role .