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Will Washington Freeze Out Ankara Following Outrage Involving an Israeli Soccer Star?

A forward on one of Turkey’s top-tier teams, Sagiv Yehezkel, is suspended, arrested, and deported following a post-goal show of solidarity with his home country’s hostages.

Adem Akalan/DHA via AP
Sagiv Yehezkel points a message that reads: "100 days. 7.10," referencing the time since Israelis were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, as he celebrates after scoring Antalyaspor's first goal during a Turkish Super Lig soccer match at Antalya, southern Turkey, January 14, 2024. Adem Akalan/DHA via AP
BENNY AVNI
BENNY AVNI

President Erdogan’s anti-Western and anti-Israel bent has led to the deportation from Turkey of an Israeli soccer star playing for one of the country’s top-tier teams. As Turkey’s animosity to the West grows, will Washington chill ties with the NATO ally?

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BENNY AVNI
BENNY AVNI

Benny Avni is a columnist who has published in the New York Post, WSJOpinion, The Daily Beast, Newsweek, Israel Radio, Ha’Aretz, and others. Once New York Sun, always New York Sun.

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