An Israeli footballer left Turkey on Monday after being detained in a single day and accused of inciting hatred by displaying a message concerning the warfare between Israel and Hamas throughout a prime division match.
Sagiv Jehezkel, 28, held a bandage on his wrist that learn “100 days. 07/10” subsequent to a Star of David as he celebrated a objective for Antalyaspor towards Trabzonspor on Sunday.
Turkish prosecutors launched a legal investigation for alleged “incitement to hatred and hostility” and his membership tore up the striker’s contract for “exhibiting habits that goes towards the sensitivities of our nation.”
Inside Minister Ali Yerlikaya mentioned Jehezkel fled Turkey after showing in courtroom and was launched pending trial.
“Turkey at all times stands on the aspect of all of the oppressed and the Palestinian folks,” Yerlikaya mentioned in a social media publish.
Israel angrily condemned Jehezkel’s detention, sending already tense relations between the 2 regional powers to a brand new low.
“Turkey has change into a darkish dictatorship that opposes human values ​​and sports activities values,” mentioned Israeli International Minister Israel Katz, whose nation had beforehand suggested Israeli residents to depart Turkey as a safety measure.
Israeli Protection Minister Yoav Gallant accused Turkey of “behaving like the chief arm of Hamas.”
It was not instantly clear whether or not the participant can be tried in absentia, or whether or not he deliberate to return to Turkey.
– ‘I’m not pro-war’ –
The message on Jehezkel’s bandage referred to the 100 days for the reason that begin of the warfare between Israel and Hamas, which was celebrated on Sunday.
In testimony to police, Jehezkel mentioned he wished to attract consideration to the hostages captured by Hamas and that he didn’t wish to assist the warfare in any manner.
“I’m not a pro-war individual,” the personal information company DHA advised him.
“In spite of everything, Israeli troopers have additionally been captured in Gaza. I’m one who believes that this hundred-day interval should finish now. I need the warfare to finish. That is why I confirmed the signal,” he allegedly advised police.
On October 7, Hamas militants launched an assault in Israel, ensuing within the deaths of about 1,140 folks and the kidnapping of about 250 others, 132 of whom stay in Gaza, based on Israeli officers.
In retaliation, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and launched a brutal army assault on Gaza, killing greater than 24,000 folks within the Palestinian territory, most of them ladies and kids, based on the Gaza Well being Ministry.
– Second Israeli investigation –
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has change into one of many fiercest critics of Israel within the Muslim world as a result of scale of loss of life and destruction in Gaza.
Jehezkel mentioned he by no means meant to get entangled in politics and had been cautious to respect Turkish cultural sensitivities since signing with the Mediterranean Coast Membership in September.
“For the reason that day I arrived, I’ve by no means had extra respect for anybody. The purpose I wished to attract consideration to was the tip of the warfare,” he mentioned.
Antalyaspor mentioned it had fired Jehezkel, tearing up a contract that was because of run till 2026.
“Our board won’t ever permit habits that goes towards the sensitivities of our nation, no matter whether or not it prices a championship or a trophy,” the membership mentioned on X, previously Twitter.
The Turkish Soccer Federation (TFF) additionally condemned what it mentioned was “utterly unacceptable habits” by Jehezkel and known as Antalyaspor’s resolution to half methods with its participant “acceptable”.
In a separate incident, Istanbul’s prime membership Basaksehir mentioned it was launching a disciplinary investigation into one other Israeli participant, Eden Karzev, for reposting a social media message concerning the hostages that learn: “Take them dwelling now “.
