In a bizarre development, Israel footballer Sagiv Jehezkel was arrested by Turkish authorities after he expressed his solidarity with his country in the context of the Hamas war. Sagiv Jehezkel expressed his solidarity over the killing of common civilians of Israel and hostages taken by Hamas after the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. After scoring a goal, Sagiv Jehezkel flaunted his wristband that said '100 days' in reference to the grim milestone in the Israel-Hamas war. This outraged Turkey which supports Hamas in the war and therefore, the Israel Footballer was arrested.
As per reports, Jehezkel could face deportation over possible charges of 'openly inciting the public to hatred and hostility'. Turkey's Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc was quoted saying on Sunday that Jehezkel had performed an "ugly gesture in support of the Israeli massacre in Gaza".
After scoring a goal the 28-year-old footballer displayed a bandage on his wrist which read "100 days". There is widespread opposition in Turkey to Israel's actions in Gaza, as the international community has called for Netanyahu to ease military action in the war-torn Strip.
Netizens slam Turkey after Sagiv Jehezkel's arrest
A user wrote, "Sagiv Jehezkel is an Israeli football player in Turkey. Yesterday he did a tribute to the hostages in #Gaza, and was arrested by the authorities. Following an earthquake in Turkey, #Israel was the first country to offer aid. And this is how they treat us. Shame on #Turkey."
Another user wrote, "Israeli football player in Turkey's league detained after dedicating goal to Israeli hostages..After scoring a goal during yesterday's football match, Israeli football player Sagiv Jehezkel (who plays for Turkey’s Antalyaspor team) commemorated the victims of Hamas’ October 7 massacre against Israelis and the hostages who remain kidnapped by Hamas by wearing a short message on the bandage on his arm...The writing on the bandage on the footballer’s wrist reads: “100 days. 7.10.”