Israeli footballer Sagiv Jehezkel arrested in Turkey after goal celebration marks 100 days since Hamas terror attack
ISRAELI football player Sagiv Jehezkel has been arrested in Turkey after he marked 100 days since Hamas' October 7 attacks in Israel during a match.
Jehezkel could face deportation over possible charges of “openly inciting the public to hatred and hostility”.
Turkey's Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said on Sunday that Jehezkel, who plays for Antalyaspor, 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" in reference to the grim milestone in the Israel-Hamas war.
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.
The player told Antalyaspor officials: "I decided to make a humanitarian tribute to the Israeli hostages in Gaza.
"It was important for me to emphasize that they have been in captivity for 100 days.
"I had no intention to provoke or express a stance on the matter. I understand the sensitivity in Turkey; it was purely a tribute."
Antalyaspor said they had terminated his contract and booted him from the team following the display during Sunday's match.
The Turkish Football Federation dubbed it a gesture that “disturbed the conscience” of the public.
Jehezkel’s arrest sparked outrage in Israel, with former Israeli PM Naftali Bennet writing on X/Twitter: "Shame on you, Turkish government".
And Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant has accused Turkey of acting as the "executive arm of Hamas" following the decision.
Jehezkel also said: "Throughout my time in Turkey, I never expressed any stance on the matter.
"When the club's officials informed me about a ceremony commemorating the casualties in Gaza before a match in Gaziantep and allowed me not to attend, I stayed in Antalya, and everything was fine.
"In essence, I drew half a heart and wrote the number 100. It wasn't intended as a provocation; quite the opposite.
!It's about empathy for captives who have been there for so many days. I insisted throughout my time to stay focused solely on soccer."
More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online. Thesun.co.uk is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun