Soccer Player Returns to Warm Welcome in Israel Following Detention in Turkey

Antalyaspor's Sagiv Jehezkel points a message in his bandage that reads: "100 days. 7.10" as he celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during a Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Antalyaspor and Trabzonspor in Antalya, southern Turkey, on Jan. 14, 2024. Adem Akalan/DHA via AP

ANKARA, Turkey—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.