An Israeli footballer, Sagiv Jehezkel, is facing prosecution in Turkey and has been suspended by his club, Antalyaspor, for showing solidarity with hostages taken in the 7 October Hamas attacks during a goal celebration.
Jehezkel held up a bandaged hand that read “100 days. 7/10”.
Turkey accused him of supporting “Israel’s massacre in Gaza,” and he is being investigated for “publicly inciting the public to hatred and hostility.”
Jehezkel, detained and released pending trial, stated through a translator that he was not “pro-war” but wanted the war to end.
Israel accused Turkey of hypocrisy, with Defense Minister Yadav Gallant stating that Turkey, which received Israeli support in last year’s earthquakes, now serves as the “executive arm of Hamas.”
Jehezkel has been excluded from the squad, and sponsors threaten to withdraw support if his contract is not terminated.
Israel’s former prime minister, Naftali Bennett, called Turkey’s government conduct shameful.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been a strong supporter of Palestinians, and large pro-Palestinian rallies have taken place in Turkey since the attacks on 7 October.
The Turkish Football Federation deemed Jehezkel’s actions “unacceptable,” supporting Antalyaspor’s decision to exclude him from the squad.
Jehezkel, who signed for Antalyaspor in September, celebrated his 68th-minute equalizer with the bandage, which included a Star of David.
The attacks triggered Israel’s Gaza bombardment, resulting in thousands of casualties.
Source-BBC
