Arrest of an Israeli football player after displaying a Gaza war message in a match in Turkey Sagiw Jahazkel has been accused of "incitement to hatred" by Turkey's Ministry of Justice On Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 23:01, an Israeli football player who referenced the Israel-Hamas conflict during a match in Turkey has reportedly been arrested, according to Turkish media. On Sunday, the country's Minister of Justice initiated an investigation into Sagiw Jahazkel due to this incident, suspecting "incitement to hatred," after his club, Antalyaspor, dismissed him for this matter. The Israeli player displayed a message reading "100 days. 07/10" on the bandage of his left hand after scoring for his team against Trabzonspor. The message related to Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7 and indicated the number of days since more than 130 Israeli hostages have been held in Gaza. The ongoing Israeli offensive to eliminate Hamas has claimed the lives of at least 23,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children.
Arrest of an Israeli football player
Sagiou Jahazkel has been accused of "incitement to hatred" by the Turkish Ministry of Justice. On Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 11:01 PM, an Israeli football player who referenced the Israel-Hamas conflict during a match in Turkey has reportedly been detained. The country's Minister of Justice announced an investigation into Jahazkel regarding this incident, on suspicion of "incitement to hatred," after his club, Antalyaspor, dismissed him over the matter.
"The Antalya Public Prosecutor's Office has launched a legal investigation against Israeli footballer Sagiv Jehazkel for inciting public hatred due to his repugnant celebration in commemoration of the massacres carried out by Israel in Gaza," stated Yilmaz Tunç, Turkey's Minister of Justice, in an online post.
"We will continue to support the oppressed Palestinians" and condemned what he described as a "genocide" ongoing in Gaza.
Antalyaspor Club announced that it has dismissed the Israeli player for "behavior that contradicts the values of our country."
Since the escalation of tensions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a traditional supporter of the Palestinian cause, has repeatedly referred to Israel as a "terrorist state" and emphasizes that Hamas is "a liberation group."
