Israeli soccer player arrested for supporting Gaza kidnap victims in Turkey

An Israeli soccer player, Sagiv Jehezkel, was arrested by Turkey for showing support to the Hamas captives during a premier league match.

According to the justice minister Yilmaz Tunc, Jehezkel, a member of Antalyaspor, faces potential accusations of “publicly stirring up hatred and animosity”.

Mr Tunc claimed on X that Jehezkel made “a repulsive sign in favour of the Israeli slaughter in Gaza”.

Jehezkel, 28, wore a bandage on his wrist with a message that marked the 100th day of the kidnapping of the hostages on October 7th, after he scored a goal against Trabzonspor at a home game.

His sign was seen as offensive in Turkey, where most people oppose Israel’s military operations in Gaza and firmly back the Palestinians. Antalyaspor removed Jehezkel from the squad and said it consulted with its lawyers about ending his contract.

The Turkish Football Federation denounced his sign as something that “shocked the sensibility” of the Turkish people.

Meanwhile, Jehezkel’s arrest provoked anger in Israel.

“Turkish government, you should be ashamed,” wrote Naftali Bennet, the ex-Israeli prime minister, on X

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