In a recent incident that has sparked controversy, Israeli striker Sagiv Jehezkel of the Turkish top-tier club Antalyaspor was suspended and briefly detained by police for displaying a message of support for Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The incident occurred after Jehezkel scored a goal during a match against Trabzonspor last Sunday, where he revealed a written message on his wristband that read, "100 days, 7/10."
The message referred to the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas terrorists on Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip border. During these attacks, numerous civilians were massacred, including attendees at a music festival, residents of nearby Jewish settlements, and people of various ages. Following the attacks, Hamas took 240 hostages, of whom 132 are believed to still be in captivity in Gaza. The message "100 days" indicated the duration these hostages had been held.
Jehezkel's act of solidarity, however, led to his arrest and subsequent suspension from the club. Antalyaspor, through its board of directors, cited Jehezkel's actions as contrary to the "national values" of Turkey, and the club's Deputy Chairman Alkan Evren has expressed intent to terminate the player's contract. In a statement following the incident, Jehezkel reportedly told police, "I did not act to provoke anybody. I want the war to end. This is why I showed that sign." Despite his explanation, the club and Turkish authorities have taken a firm stance against his actions.
Israeli football player Sagiv Jehezkel has landed Monday at Ben Gurion Airport after he was suspended from his team in Turkey, then arrested and deported by local authorities over an on-field gesture he made yesterday in solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/HoNY9Yc2Qc — NoComment (@nocomment) January 16, 2024
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz confirmed Jehezkel's safe return to Israel, though it remains unclear if he will face formal charges. Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç accused Jehezkel of "supporting Israel's massacre in Gaza," further intensifying the political implications of the incident.
Antalyaspor's response was swift, and the club's President Sinan Boztepe clarified that the post showing Jehezkel's message, which was initially shared on the club's official social media, was immediately removed. Boztepe emphasized that such behavior will not be tolerated during his tenure, regardless of the player's success.
This incident is not isolated in the context of the Israel-Gaza conflict spilling into the realm of sports. Eden Karzev, another Israeli player in Turkey, is under investigation by Istanbul Basaksehir for a social media post deemed offensive by the club, which also pertained to the Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Jehezkel's situation reflects the complex intersection of politics, sports, and personal expression. His gesture, meant to draw attention to a significant humanitarian issue, has resulted in severe professional and personal repercussions. The incident raises questions about the freedom of expression for athletes and the broader implications of political gestures in international sports. As Jehezkel faces the consequences of his actions, the debate around political expression in sports continues to be a contentious and sensitive topic.
