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Israeli soccer player Sagiv Jehezkel detained in Turkey

January 15, 2024
Sagiv Jehezkel (L) represents Israel during a soccer match against Belarus in September last year
Sagiv Jehezkel (L) represents Israel during a soccer match against Belarus in September last year

ANKARA — Israeli soccer star Sagiv Jehezkel, who plays for Turkish team Antalyaspor, was detained on Monday for “instigating the public to hatred and hostility,” according to Turkish state broadcaster TRT Haber.

Jehezkel, who is being held by police in Antalya, was suspended by Antalyaspor over the weekend after showing his bandaged wrist which had a message supporting Israeli hostages on Sunday.

The bandage said “100 days, 7/10” in reference to the Israeli hostages who had been held for 100 days in Gaza on Sunday following the deadly attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7.

A hostage release deal agreed between Israel and Hamas in late November ended after six days, with more than 100 freed.

The Turkish justice minister announced on X, formerly Twitter, that the Antalya chief prosecutor’s office launched an investigation against the 28-year-old player Jehezkel.

The prosecutor’s office will ultimately decide if he is formally arrested or if he will be released.

“I did not act to provoke anybody. I want the war to end. This is why I showed that sign,” Jehezel said, according to a leaked Turkish police report widely cited across Turkish media. — CNN


January 15, 2024
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