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Sagiv Jehezkel: Israel footballer in Turkey facing sack for hostage plea Sagiv Jehezkel: Israel footballer leaves Turkey after hostage plea row
(about 4 hours later)
Sagiv Jehezkel was celebrating his 68th minute equaliser in the Turkish Super Lig match against Trabzonspor when he held up the bandage. Jehezkel was hailed by supporters at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport
An Israeli footballer faces prosecution in Turkey and the sack from his club for showing solidarity with hostages taken in the 7 October Hamas attacks during a goal celebration. An Israeli footballer at the centre of a row over a gesture of solidarity with hostages in Gaza he made during a match in Turkey has returned to Israel.
Sagiv Jehezkel, a player for Antalyaspor, held up a bandaged hand that read "100 days. 7/10". After Sunday's match Sagiv Jehezkel was briefly detained in the southern city of Antalya and accused of incitement.
The attacks triggered Israel's bombardment of Gaza which has left tens of thousands dead. It is unclear whether he faces prosecution if he returns to Turkey. His club, Antalyaspor, has sacked him.
Turkey accused the footballer of supporting "Israel's massacre in Gaza". Jehezkel's arrest prompted a bitter war of words between the Israeli and Turkish governments.
Jehezkel said he was not "pro-war" and Israel accused Turkey of hypocrisy. The 28-year-old player, who signed for Antalyaspor in September, was celebrating an equaliser in a Turkish Super Lig match when he held up his bandaged hand that read "100 days. 7/10".
He was detained before being released pending trial on Monday - he is being investigated for "publicly inciting the public to hatred and hostility". The bandage also included a star of David.
Turkey's Minister of Justice Yilmaz Tunc said an investigation had been launched due to the player's "ugly action supporting Israel's massacre in Gaza". Sagiv Jehezkel was celebrating a goal when he held up the bandage
Jehezkel has also been suspended by Antalyaspor, and Israel's Foreign Minister said he was expected to fly home later on Monday.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, including Hamas, and has been highly critical of Israel's conduct in Gaza. The country has also seen large pro-Palestinian rallies since 7 October.
According to local outlet DHA, Jehezkel gave a statement through a translator saying he did not "make a move to provoke", but wanted the war to end.
"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," he said.
Sunday marked 100 days since Hamas launched its deadly attacks on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mainly civilians. About 240 people were taken back to Gaza as hostages, approximately 132 of whom are still being held.Sunday marked 100 days since Hamas launched its deadly attacks on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mainly civilians. About 240 people were taken back to Gaza as hostages, approximately 132 of whom are still being held.
Israel has waged a near-constant campaign of bombardment on the Gaza Strip since then, killing more than 23,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Thousands more are believed to be dead under rubble. The attack triggered Israel's bombardment of Gaza, killing more than 23,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Israeli officials have criticised Turkey's actions towards Jehezkel. After Sunday's incident, Turkey's Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said an investigation had been launched into the player's "ugly action supporting Israel's massacre in Gaza".
Defence Minister Yadav Gallant said Israel had supported Turkey in last year's earthquakes, accusing Turkey of "an expression of hypocrisy". Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, including Hamas, and has been highly critical of Israel's conduct in Gaza. The country has also seen large pro-Palestinian rallies since 7 October.
"In its actions, Turkey serves as the executive arm of Hamas," he said. Mr Erdogan's chief adviser called the player "Israel's vile dog in a footballers clothing".
Israel's former prime minister Naftali Bennett said the conduct of Turkey's government was shameful. According to local media, Jehezkel gave a statement through a translator saying he did not "make a move to provoke", but wanted the war to end.
Jehezkel, who signed for Antalyaspor in September, was celebrating his 68th minute equaliser in the Turkish Super Lig match against Trabzonspor when he held up the bandage, which also included a star of David. "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," he said.
After the match, Antalyaspor released a statement saying Jehezkel had "acted against the national values of our country", and that he would be "excluded from the squad". Israeli officials have criticised Turkey's actions towards the footballer.
Defence Minister Yadav Gallant said Israel had supported Turkey in last year's earthquakes, and accused Turkey of serving as a "de facto executive arm" of Hamas,
The Turkish Football Federation described Jehezkel's actions as "unacceptable", and said the decision by Antalyaspor to exclude him from the squad was "appropriate".The Turkish Football Federation described Jehezkel's actions as "unacceptable", and said the decision by Antalyaspor to exclude him from the squad was "appropriate".
Caglayan Group, Antalyaspor's main shirt sponsor, said they would withdraw their sponsorship if Jehezkel's contract was not terminated.
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