Israeli Soccer Player Dor Turgeman Proudly Defends Israel Amid Montreal Fans' Abuse

Israeli forward Dor Turgeman scored his second goal for New England Revolution during a match in Montreal, where he faced hostile chants from opposing fans shouting "death to Israel." After scoring, Turgeman responded by cupping his ears in a gesture indicating he could not hear the insults, which led to a confrontation with the opposing goalkeeper and a yellow card for Turgeman. His father, Gabi Turgeman, spoke to Walla Sport about the incident, emphasizing Dor's strong connection to his Israeli identity and pride in representing his country.

Gabi described Dor as calm and composed after the game, though disappointed that his team did not secure a win despite leading and that he was substituted. He noted Dor's current statistics include more assists than goals, partly because he does not take penalties as he did at Maccabi Tel Aviv, but expressed confidence that Dor will score more in the future.

Gabi recently spent an extended period in the United States with his son, attending several games without encountering hostility toward Dor or their Israeli identity. He acknowledged that anti-Israel sentiment is more prevalent in Canada, making the Montreal incident unsurprising. He also praised the support Dor received from his teammates during the heated match, who defended him after the goalkeeper's push.

Beyond the field, Dor actively fosters connections with the Israeli community in Boston through social gatherings and Torah study, earning their affection and support. Both father and son are pleased with Dor's move to New England Revolution and optimistic about his continued development and goal-scoring potential.