Sagiv Jehezkel, an Israeli footballer, who was the architect of a row over a gesture of solidarity with hostages in Gaza has returned to Israel.
The gesture was made during a match in Turkey and following the encounter, Sagiv was apprehended for a brief period in the southern city of Antalya and subsequently accused of incitement.
It is unknown if he will face prosecution charges when he returns to Turkey, but his club, Antalyaspor, has unfortunately dismissed him.
Sagiv Jehezkel's arrest resulted in an acrimonious war of words between the Turkish and Israeli governments.
The Israeli footballer was celebrating getting his side back on level terms in a Turkish Super Lig encounter when he positioned up his bandaged hand that read “100 days. 7/10”.
The bandage held up by the former Maccabi Tel Aviv man also included a star of David.
January 14, 2023, signified 100 days since Hamas launched its deadly attacks on the southern part of Israel, which claimed the lives of about 1,200 people, who are mainly civilians.
Reports indicate that around 240 people were taken to Gaza as hostages, with about 132 of them still in custody.
This attack by Hamas apparently led to Israel's bombardment of Gaza, claiming the lives of more than 23,000 people and this is according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Following the incident on Sunday, January 14, 2024, the Justice Minister of Turkey, Yilmaz Tunc, said an investigation had begun regarding Sagiv's “ugly action supporting Israel's massacre in Gaza”.
The president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been a firm supporter of Palestinians, and he has been fiercely against Israel's activities in Gaza.
Turkey has also witnessed massive rallies backing Palestine since the 7th of October 2023.
The chief adviser to the Turkish president also termed Sagiv Jehezkel “Israel's vile dog in a footballer's clothing”.
Based on reports, Sagiv gave a statement via a translator expressing that he did not “make a move to provoke”, but rather wanted the war to be halted.
The 28-year-old said: “I am not a pro-war person… There are Israeli soldiers captured in Gaza.
“I am someone who believes that this 100-day period should end now. I want the war to end.”
Top officials in Israel have lambasted Turkey for how they handled the situation and their actions towards the footballer.
Israel's defense Minister, Yadav Gallant said the country had supported neighbors Turkey in the previous year's earthquakes, and accused Turkey of acting as a "de facto” tool of Hamas.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Football Federation claimed that Sagiv Jehezkel's conduct was “unacceptable” and as such, the footballer's dismissal from Antalyaspor was rightful.
Sagiv has played for several clubs in his career, including; Hapoel Tel Aviv, Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv, FC Ashdod, and Hapoel Beer Sheva.
He joined Antalyaspor from Hapoel Beer Sheva on September 15, 2023, for a fee of €850,000.
The Isreal international made 19 appearances this campaign before his dismissal, scoring 6 goals and providing 3 assists in all competitions.
Cumulatively, Sagiv Jehezkel has made 229 appearances, scoring 46 goals and providing 23 assists thus far in his career.
Internationally, the 28-year-old has made 8 appearances for Israel, scoring no goal and providing 1 assist.
The gesture was made during a match in Turkey and following the encounter, Sagiv was apprehended for a brief period in the southern city of Antalya and subsequently accused of incitement.
It is unknown if he will face prosecution charges when he returns to Turkey, but his club, Antalyaspor, has unfortunately dismissed him.
Sagiv Jehezkel's arrest resulted in an acrimonious war of words between the Turkish and Israeli governments.
The Israeli footballer was celebrating getting his side back on level terms in a Turkish Super Lig encounter when he positioned up his bandaged hand that read “100 days. 7/10”.
The bandage held up by the former Maccabi Tel Aviv man also included a star of David.
January 14, 2023, signified 100 days since Hamas launched its deadly attacks on the southern part of Israel, which claimed the lives of about 1,200 people, who are mainly civilians.
Reports indicate that around 240 people were taken to Gaza as hostages, with about 132 of them still in custody.
This attack by Hamas apparently led to Israel's bombardment of Gaza, claiming the lives of more than 23,000 people and this is according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Following the incident on Sunday, January 14, 2024, the Justice Minister of Turkey, Yilmaz Tunc, said an investigation had begun regarding Sagiv's “ugly action supporting Israel's massacre in Gaza”.
The president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been a firm supporter of Palestinians, and he has been fiercely against Israel's activities in Gaza.
Turkey has also witnessed massive rallies backing Palestine since the 7th of October 2023.
The chief adviser to the Turkish president also termed Sagiv Jehezkel “Israel's vile dog in a footballer's clothing”.
Based on reports, Sagiv gave a statement via a translator expressing that he did not “make a move to provoke”, but rather wanted the war to be halted.
The 28-year-old said: “I am not a pro-war person… There are Israeli soldiers captured in Gaza.
“I am someone who believes that this 100-day period should end now. I want the war to end.”
Top officials in Israel have lambasted Turkey for how they handled the situation and their actions towards the footballer.
Israel's defense Minister, Yadav Gallant said the country had supported neighbors Turkey in the previous year's earthquakes, and accused Turkey of acting as a "de facto” tool of Hamas.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Football Federation claimed that Sagiv Jehezkel's conduct was “unacceptable” and as such, the footballer's dismissal from Antalyaspor was rightful.
Sagiv has played for several clubs in his career, including; Hapoel Tel Aviv, Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv, FC Ashdod, and Hapoel Beer Sheva.
He joined Antalyaspor from Hapoel Beer Sheva on September 15, 2023, for a fee of €850,000.
The Isreal international made 19 appearances this campaign before his dismissal, scoring 6 goals and providing 3 assists in all competitions.
Cumulatively, Sagiv Jehezkel has made 229 appearances, scoring 46 goals and providing 23 assists thus far in his career.
Internationally, the 28-year-old has made 8 appearances for Israel, scoring no goal and providing 1 assist.