Turkish Journalist Criticizes Israeli Soccer Player Dia Saba Over Gaza War

A Turkish journalist has sparked controversy by linking Israeli soccer player Dia Saba's goal for his club, Umraniyespor, to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a column, Ahmet Gülamseyn criticized Umraniyespor for retaining an Israeli player on its roster, noting that Saba had scored in the team's 4-0 victory over Besiktas. Gülamseyn wrote that "Israelis will surely be happy with the goal scored by Dia Saba, an Israeli, against Besiktas," and claimed Saba "added to the joy of his Israeli people."

The journalist also extended his criticism to the United Nations, questioning the effectiveness of its "protest" statements regarding Israel's actions in Palestine. He further escalated his rhetoric, describing "Zionists, who are not sated with Muslim blood, committing atrocities before the eyes of the world" and criticizing the international community's response to the war.

In response to the controversy, the chairman of the Southeastern Anatolia Journalists Association and a member of Umraniyespor's advisory board, Feleknas Uca, defended Saba. Uca stated that Saba's "religion, language, race, and identity do not matter to us at all. He is dear to us and he is one of us." Uca emphasized that Saba is from an Arab Muslim family and suggested the criticism was aimed at Umraniyespor itself.

Uca called on Gülamseyn to practice professional journalism and cover Umraniyespor's success neutrally, reiterating that Saba is loved and admired in Diyarbakir regardless of his identity.