What’s happening:
Turkish authorities have arrested Sagiv Yehezkel, an Israeli soccer player for Antalyaspor after he displayed a message of support for Israeli hostages along with a small Star of David on a wrist bandage during a game. His arrest and immediate dismissal from his team coincide with upcoming local elections in Turkey in March.
Why it matters:
This act reflects a broader strategy used by the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who repeatedly employs anti-Israel sentiment to galvanize his constituents and secure a tighter grip on power domestically, while also aiming to fortify his standing in the Muslim world.
The background:
Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political career, spanning over two decades, has often involved taking a stance against Israel. Rhetorical assaults and actions such as Yehezkel’s arrest serve dual purposes. Domestically, they distract from Turkey’s internal issues, such as economic strains. Internationally, they bolster Erdogan’s image as a champion of Palestinian rights within the Arab and Muslim demographic.
The political calculations:
His tactics have previously proven fruitful, as seen in significant moments like his walkout at the 2009 World Economic Forum and the global reaction to the Mavi Marmara incident in 2010. The upcoming municipal elections present an opportunity for Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) to reclaim key cities, incentivizing him to activate this strategy once more.
The bigger picture:
Erdogan’s agenda extends beyond national borders and electoral cycles, positioning himself as a defender against Western actions such as the move of the US embassy to Jerusalem. Exploiting these international events affirms his dedication to Palestinian causes, which resonates positively across the Middle East and beyond.
Between the lines:
The speed and efficiency of the Israeli government in securing Yehezkel’s release may indicate their anticipation of similar incidents, especially considering past events credited to ‘Turkish overreaction,’ like the 2021 arrest of an Israeli couple for photography near the presidential palace.
The response from Israel:
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Turkey of symbolizing “a culture of murder and hatred” after the incident, underlining the broader implications of such confrontations.
What’s next:
With the Israeli soccer player deported and political tension high, Erdogan positions his political chess pieces strategically as the local government elections loom. For advocates of democratic principles and sportsmanship values, the concern lies in the range of permissible conduct for politics across international stages.
This story was first published on jpost.com.