ASSOCIATED PRESS
Soccer player returns to warm welcome in Israel following detention in Turkey
Suzan Fraser
January 15, 2024

Israeli soccer player Sagiv Jehezkel returned to Israel on Monday evening to a cheering crowd, hours after he was briefly detained in Turkey for allegedly inciting hatred after he expressed solidarity with hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza during a top-flight league game. Jehezkel landed in Israel in a small plane and was draped in an Israeli flag upon disembarking. Dozens of fans mobbed him as he left the airport, cheering, singing, and waving flags. “There’s nowhere like Israel in the world,” Jehezkel told reporters. “I’m very happy to be here, and I couldn’t wait to arrive.” The Antalyaspor player was released from custody following questioning by police and court officials, a Turkish official said. READ MORE