Istanbul – An Israeli soccer player detained in Turkey for displaying a message about the Israel-Hamas war during a match has been released pending trial. Sagiv Jehezkel, 28, had celebrated scoring a goal for Antalyaspor by displaying a bandage with the message “100 days. 07/10” and a Star of David on his wrist. Turkish prosecutors launched a criminal investigation into Jehezkel for alleged “incitement to hate,” and his club terminated his contract.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticized Turkey for the “scandalous arrest” of Jehezkel, calling it an “expression of hypocrisy” and accusing Turkey of serving as the “executive arm of Hamas.” Jehezkel stated during police testimony that he did not intend to provoke anyone and that he is not a pro-war person. He explained that he wanted to draw attention to the 100-day period since the start of the Israel-Hamas war and his desire for it to end.
Jehezkel’s detention has strained relations between Israel and Turkey, with Israeli officials condemning the arrest. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
After his release, a private plane from Israel was sent to pick up Jehezkel and his family so they could return home.
Antalyaspor, Jehezkel’s club, stated that they sacked him for acting against the values of their country. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) also condemned Jehezkel’s behavior and supported the decision to exclude him from the team. In a separate incident, Istanbul’s Basaksehir said it would launch a disciplinary investigation into another Israeli player, Eden Karzev, for reposting a social media message about the hostages.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a significant death toll and destruction in Gaza. While Jehezkel intended to draw attention to the war’s duration, his actions were seen as controversial and in violation of Turkish cultural sensitivities. The incident further underscores the delicate nature of politics and sports and highlights the dividing lines between nations in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.