Ben Shapiro Speaks Out on Turkish Soccer Controversy

After making headlines worldwide, soccer player Sagiv Yehezkel, who was expelled from his Turkish team following accusations of incitement to hatred, has returned to Israel.

The controversy erupted when Yehezkel expressed solidarity with Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas militants, writing "100 Days, 07/10" on a bandage around his wrist alongside a Star of David. He was detained by Turkish authorities and brought before a judge. The Turkish court ordered his release, but he was subsequently deported from the country.

In response to the uproar, Jewish-American commentator Ben Shapiro published the following post: "In February of last year, Turkey experienced a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. 50,000 Turks died, over 300,000 homes collapsed. 658,000 citizens were left jobless, and the economic damage was estimated at $34 billion.

"The Turks sought help everywhere they could.

"And Israel was there.

"Among the delegations that flew to Turkey, the Israeli one was the most extensive. Israeli newspapers proudly reported the 'largest civilian aid delegation in history.' Israel sent hundreds of doctors, rescue teams, and humanitarian supplies (medicines, food, etc.). The delegation included Israeli Defense Forces assistance, and President Herzog personally called Erdogan to express his condolences and the official support of the Jewish state.

"On the seventh of October, the Jewish state endured a hellish attack by Hamas and their Gaza supporters: Kibbutzim were burned, over two hundred innocents were kidnapped into the strip. The largest massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust occurred. As the people of Zion rose against the murderers, countries around the world expressed their disapproval of 'Israel's ruthless assault and the genocide it perpetrates against defenseless Palestinians.'

"Yesterday, Sagiv Yehezkel, the Israeli player for Turkey's Antalyaspor, scored a goal in a local league game. To show support for the families of the hostages, Yehezkel raised his bandaged hand with the writing '100 days.' The Turks, as a token of gratitude and an emotional closure with the Israelis, quickly arrested him for 'incitement and supporting genocide in Gaza.'

"Each should draw their own conclusion," Shapiro summarized.