Saar characterized the actions of the Turkish side as "another publicity stunt" by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He also reminded that previously the mayor of Istanbul was arrested for criticizing the president and noted that the judicial system in the country "has long been used to suppress political opponents."
The minister emphasized: "Israel resolutely rejects the latest publicity stunt by the tyrant Erdoğan with contempt."
On November 7, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants for 37 individuals, including Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. They are accused of "genocide and crimes against humanity" in the Gaza Strip, as well as violations related to the "Sumud" flotilla, which attempted to break the blockade of Palestinian territories.
Additionally, an arrest warrant for Netanyahu was previously issued by the International Criminal Court, which suspects him of war crimes and crimes against humanity from October 2023 to May 2024. In Israel, the ICC's decision was regarded as an expression of anti-Semitism.
