An Israeli soccer star who participates in the Turkish national league is reportedly being investigated for “inciting hatred” due to his support of his country’s war against Hamas.
It’s all over messages he had written on his person while playing soccer.
A Supposed ‘Ugly Gesture’
Breitbart reports, “Sagiv Jehezkel, 28, scored a goal for Antalyaspor of the Turkish Super Lig and then pointed to his wrist, which showed the message, ‘100 days. 7.10.’ July 10, 7/10, is the day Hamas launched a massive, brutal attack on Israeli soldiers and civilians.”
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said that what Jehezkel did with his messaging was an “ugly gesture.”
The story continued:
“A judicial investigation has been initiated by Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against Israeli football player Sagiv Jehezkel for ‘inciting people to hatred and hostility’ due to his ugly gesture supporting Israel’s massacre in Gaza after scoring a goal in the Antalyaspor -Trabzonspor Super Lig match,” Tunc said according to Reuters.
Tunc hastened to add that he also condemns Israel’s defense of its citizens and territory.
Tunc said to Israeli media, “I condemn the attacks of Israel, which committed crimes against humanity by committing genocide in Gaza, without regard for children or women, young or old, for more than 100 days. We will always continue to stand by the oppressed Palestinians.”
The First Amendment is Particular to the U.S.
Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “no different than Hitler.”
While in the U.S. the First Amendment protects even the most heinous speech, many countries around the world have hate speech laws and other speech codes that people can be imprisoned for.
One doesn’t have to agree or disagree with this particular message to be reminded of this fact.
