According to Turkish media on Monday, an Israeli football player who was arrested in Turkey for showing a message on the Israel-Hamas conflict during a first-division game informed the authorities he didn’t intend any offense.
Sagiv Jehezkel, 28, celebrated his team’s score against Trabzonspor on Sunday by flashing a bandage that said “100 days. 07/10” next to the Star of David.
For allegedly “incitement to hate,” Jehezkel has been the subject of a criminal investigation by Turkish authorities, and his club terminated his contract because he “exhibited behavior that goes against our country’s sensitivities.”
Jehezkel said he “did not intend to provoke anyone” in his police statement. I do not support war, the private news agency DHA said.
The note on the bandage made reference to the captives held since Palestinian terrorists murdered over 1,140 people and kidnapped approximately 250 others in their assault on October 9 as well as the 100 days of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which was marked on Sunday.
132 captives, according to Israel, are currently being held in Gaza.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israel has sworn to destroy Hamas in reprisal and has initiated a relentless military assault that has killed at least 23,968 individuals in the Palestinian territory, the majority of whom were women and children.
Never showed anybody disrespect.
The official Israeli flag insignia, the Star of David, was displayed by Jehezkel in opposition to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s strong criticism of Israel’s war activities and support for the Palestinian cause.
Since joining the Mediterranean coast club in September, the footballer has made it clear that he has no intention of becoming engaged in politics and that he has taken great care to respect Turkish cultural sensibilities.
“After all, Israeli troops have also been captured in Gaza. I think that the current 100-day term ought to come to an end right now. Let the conflict cease, please. He allegedly informed the cops, “That’s why I showed the sign.”
“I’m not involved in politics in any way. I haven’t done anything political since being here,” he said.
“I have never treated anybody disrespectfully from the day I came. The conclusion of the conflict was the issue I wanted to bring up.
The Israeli footballer was fired by Antalyaspor, which said he had “acted against the values of our country.”
The team said on X, previously Twitter, “Our board will never allow behavior against the sensitivities of our country, no matter the cost of championship or trophy.”
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) deemed Antalyaspor’s decision to remove the player from the squad “appropriate” and denounced “the completely unacceptable behavior.”