ANKARA — Another Israeli soccer player, Eden Karzev of Istanbul’s Basaksehir club, is set to return to his home country over his show of solidarity with the estimated 130 hostages who are still being held in Gaza by Hamas.
Earlier this week, Basaksehir launched a disciplinary probe into Karzev over his social media post echoing calls for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to ensure the return of hostages taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. On Sunday, Karzev shared an Instagram post with the #BringThemHomeNow hashtag that has become a rallying cry around the world in solidarity with those held captive.
Basaksehir announced on Friday that Karzev was fined as the result of the probe and his contract terminated.
“In accordance with the clubs’ disciplinary instructions, the player was fined and it was deemed appropriate that he continue his career abroad,” the club said in a statement. Basaksehir announced the probe on Monday, saying Karzev's post was “against the values of Turkish society.”
