Israeli professional footballer Sagiv Jehezkel showed sympathy for the victims of the Hamas terror on October 7th when he celebrated a goal in the Turkish professional league. A shitstorm followed, his dismissal and criminal consequences.
“NZZ Akcent”: Türkiye: Solidarity with Israel banned
Authors Marlen Oehler, David Vogel
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It may be one of the most momentous goal celebrations in Turkish football history, says correspondent Volker Pabst. Israeli footballer Sagiv Jehezkel from first division club Antalyaspor held his bandaged hand up to the television cameras after his equalizer in the game against Trabzon on January 14th. It shows: a Star of David, the date October 7th and “100 Days”. With this, Jehezkel recalled the Hamas massacre 100 days earlier. A few hours later, Jehezkel had to flee Turkey and look for a new club.
In the latest episode of “NZZrakt”, Volker Pabst explains why it is a serious offense in Turkey these days to show solidarity with Israel. Relations between Turkey and Israel have been in a downward spiral since the outbreak of war, says Pabst. On the one hand, there is great solidarity with the Palestinians among the Turkish population, but on the other hand, President Erdogan wants to present himself as an advocate for all Muslims.
In this situation, even an Israeli footballer’s gesture of solidarity with his homeland is a violation of “national sensibilities,” said Volker Pabst. And in the current heated situation there are criminal consequences
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