The trial at the 11th High Criminal Court in Çağlayan involves 35 defendants, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Itamar Ben-Gvir. The prosecution is seeking the defendants’ conviction on charges of torture, deprivation of liberty, aggravated robbery, hijacking of maritime vessels, genocide and crimes against humanity, in a case in which 101 victims are represented. The hearing began this morning and continues with testimony from complainants, including flotilla participants and their lawyers.

“A series of historic trials has begun.”

While the trial was ongoing, activists and attorneys for the plaintiffs held a press conference outside the Çağlayan Courthouse regarding the case. Enes Kafadar, President of the World Lawyers Association (WOLAS), delivered the opening remarks. Noting that the first hearing of the case, filed under the principle of universal jurisdiction, was taking place, Kafadar stated: 'The genocide committed in Gaza has left deep wounds in our consciences. These wounds have fuelled the international community’s quest for justice, and this quest has become stronger than ever before. As a result of these developments, a series of historic cases have begun to be filed against Israel and its officials, both in international courts and in national courts under the principle of ‘universal jurisdiction’.”

“The truths that were attempted to be silenced have been recorded in the court transcripts.”

Kafadar continued. ‘This case being heard here is not merely a narrowly scoped trial concerning unjust interventions against civilian humanitarian aid convoys.  As the indictment clearly states, these actions are part of a systematic policy of starvation and extermination carried out against the civilian population — that is, a direct extension of ‘genocide’ and ‘crimes against humanity’ into international waters. Today, victims who were on the humanitarian aid fleets and suffered harm as a result of these crimes testified in person before the court, describing in full detail the grave crimes that trample on international law, as well as the hardships they endured. The truths that have been suppressed for years are now being officially recorded in the court transcripts.’

Legal proceedings are ongoing in 20 countries.

Hüseyin Dişli, Attorney-at-Law, Member of the Board of Directors, and Legal Advisor to the Global Sumud Fleet, stated that they had initiated legal proceedings in many countries following the attacks on the fleets. He said, “Currently, legal proceedings are ongoing in 20 countries regarding the interventions and attacks that took place in 2025 alone. Turkey is leading these proceedings. On 16 October, the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office in Italy issued a press release. The validity of the claims we have made here was also affirmed there. According to the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office, a unified evidence system has been established in collaboration with 11 European countries within the framework of European judicial cooperation, ensuring coordination in the investigations.”

“We believe we will achieve significant results.”

Dişli stated that the crimes committed against the flotilla should be addressed within the context of genocide, as outlined in the prosecutor’s indictment. He added: “We filed a petition with the International Criminal Court on 26 May 2026. As this case progresses, we are confident that we will achieve substantial results in international courts. The trial taking place here is extremely valid and binding under international law. These processes will continue to grow,’ he said.

‘Gaza has been turned into a genocide camp.’

Beheşti İsmail Songür, President of the Mavi Marmara Association, also recalled that Gaza has been described as an 'open-air prison', stating: 'Under international law, even a convicted criminal has four fundamental rights:

The right to food, clean water, clean air and access to medicine when sick. When we look at Gaza right now, the passage of food, clean water and medicine is not permitted. Due to the toxic gases and bombs dropped by Israel, people are not even allowed to breathe clean air. It must be stated clearly: Gaza is not an open-air prison; it is a genocide camp.”

‘Netanyahu and Israel will be held accountable for these atrocities.’

Sema Silkin Ün, an MP and participant in the Freedom Flotilla, stated: ‘We took our place in this court with the awareness that the eyes and ears of millions around the world, who are waiting for justice, are focused here. The decision issued by this court will, God willing, deal a massive blow to Zionist Israel's sense of impunity.”

Osman Nuri Kabaktepe, Chair of the Platform for the Support of Palestine, also said: 'The murderer Netanyahu and Zionist Israel will certainly be held accountable for these atrocities. We believe this. We will all follow this case, and any subsequent cases, with the utmost seriousness.”

‘The case must be followed through to the end.’

Kaya Kartal, president of Mazlum-Der and an attorney, said: ‘We hope this case is heard properly and fulfils its purpose. May this culture of impunity finally come to an end, and may the occupying Israeli regime be branded genocidal and punished in ongoing cases, both in Türkiye and across the world. To achieve this, lawyers, civil society, the press and activists must not turn their backs on this case. We must follow this case through to the very end,' he said.

The press conference concluded following the speeches.