ISTANBUL: An Israeli footballer has been arrested in Turkey for inciting people to hatred and hostility through a message on war in Gaza, Turkish media reported on Sunday.
Turkish justice minister Yilmaz Tunc has said that a judicial investigation had been started against Sagiv Jehezkel over the incident for suspected incitement to hate.
Antalyaspor club player gestured to a message on his bandaged hand after he scored a goal in the game on Sunday. The message read ‘100 days 7/10’ with a star of David, which was interpreted in Turkey as support for Israel’s brutality in Gaza.
According to Antalyaspor, the player has already sacked him over the incident.
BREAKING — Turkish police detains Israeli footballer Sagiv Jehezkel, Turkish media report.
Antalyaspor also announced that it would cancel its contract with Jehezkel https://t.co/LLOb115Gd0
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) January 14, 2024
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc on ‘X’ said the Antalya public prosecutor’s office has started judicial investigation against Israeli footballer Sagiv Jehezkel for public incitement to hate due to his odious celebration in favour of the massacre committed by Israel in Gaza.
He said Turkey will continue to support the oppressed Palestinians, criticizing the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Since the start of the war, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has repeatedly described Israel as a terrorist state.
Meanwhile, the South Africa said it had stripped its national Under-19 Cricket World Cup skipper of the captaincy over fears he could be targeted by protesters over his pro-Israeli views.
The health ministry in the Gaza Strip on Sunday reported that the death toll has reached 23,968, mostly women and children, in the Palestinian territory over the course of 100 days of relentless Israeli bombardments since October 7. The ministry has recorded 60,582 wounded as a result of the continuous Israeli attacks.
READ ALSO: Gaza Death Toll Nears 24,000 in 100 Days of Israeli Bombardments
