Israeli player Eden Karzev, who became unwanted at Turkish club Basaksehir for calling for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, has been loaned to Maccabi Tel-Aviv, the two clubs announced on Thursday. “Following the disciplinary procedure initiated by our club, the player was fined (...) and it was considered appropriate for him to continue his career outside our country,” Basaksehir Istanbul said, premier division team known for its ties to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Maccabi Tel-Aviv, current leader of the Israeli championship, announced at the same time that it had reached an agreement with the Turkish club for a loan with an option to purchase the 23-year-old Israeli midfielder. Eden Karzev, who signed for Basaksehir Istanbul in January 2023, from Israel, found himself in trouble with his leaders for sharing a message on Instagram on Sunday calling on the Israeli army to “bring (the hostages) back to the House".
Sagiv Jehezkel, another Israeli player playing in the Turkish championship, already had to leave Turkey on Monday after being placed in police custody for brandishing the message “100 days. 07/10”, written on a bandage around his left wrist. This message, referring to the hundred days that have passed since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, was deemed contrary to “the values of our country” by his club, Antalyaspor, which immediately excluded him.
An investigation for “public incitement to hatred” was also opened against him by the Turkish justice system. “Turkey has become a dark dictatorship, which goes against human values and sporting values,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused on Monday.