Israeli national team forward Sagiv Jehezkel was taken into custody and interrogated on Sunday after celebrating a goal with a tribute to hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip for 100 days during a Turkish Süper Lig match.
Read more:
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunç announced on Sunday that he will initiate an investigation against the player, and local media reports that the Jehezkel has already been taken in for police questioning.
Tunç posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "I saw Sagiv Jehezkel's disgusting support of the massacre Israel is conducting in Gaza. The prosecutor in Antalya will launch an investigation against him for offending public sentiments. I again condemn the massacre Israel has been conducting against Palestinians for 100 days."
The Turkish Football Federation also condemned Jehezkel and stated that it "will initiate disciplinary proceedings against him." The player himself is expected to return to Israel soon, with official Israeli sources in contact with him.
After scoring the equalizer for his club Antalyaspor in a 1-1 draw against Trabzonspor in the Turkish league, Jehezkel made a half-heart sign to the camera, with "100 days" written on the bandage on his arm.
His team posted the special celebration on social media, but deleted the posts minutes later the Israeli player’s gesture sparked outrage among fans and the media. It didn't end there; shortly after the match ended, Antalyaspor announced that they were suspending Jehezkel from all activities.
"Jehezkel violated Turkey's national values," the club's statement read, "which we cannot allow. Consequently, the management has decided to suspend him until further notice."
Club president Sinan Boztepe told the Turkish media that Jehezkel's time on the team was over. "His contract with the team will be terminated. I will not accept such behavior, even if it costs us titles," he said.
"Jehezkel exploited the goal he scored for Israeli propaganda," one fan wrote. Journalist Arsin Çelik commented, "Let's see how the Turkish Football Federation punishes him, it's shameful."
There were reactions calling to "kick him out of the team," but conversely, some Turkish fans wrote that Jehezkel has the right to express solidarity with Israel, just as there are soccer players who show their support for the Palestinians."
Two weeks after the war began, the Turkish Football Federation held a minute’s silence to commemorate "Palestinian citizens who lost their lives due to the Israeli attack," with all teams wearing black armbands in solidarity with Gaza.
Following this, Israeli players Sagiv Jehezkel and Ramzi Safuri opted out of their team Antalyaspor's match and were not included in the squad. "Tomorrow, a ceremony intended to condemn the State of Israel will be held. As players so proud to be part of the national team, we have no intention of participating or even being in the stadium," they said then.
Since joining Antalyaspor from Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Jehezkel has been outstanding. He has scored six goals and made two assists in 12 appearances in the Turkish league, with Antalyaspor currently sitting in seventh place in the standings. However, he now finds himself at the center of a controversy, and his future with the club is uncertain.