Israeli Forward Dor Turgeman Faces Abuse After Goal Celebration in MLS Match

Israeli striker Dor Turgeman had a notable season in Major League Soccer, scoring in a 2-2 draw between New England and Montreal on the night between Saturday and Sunday. After his goal, Turgeman deliberately celebrated in front of opposing fans, which sparked chaos on the field and ended with him being pushed by Montreal's goalkeeper.

In an interview with Sport 5's "5 BaAvir," Turgeman's father, Gabi Turgeman, addressed the incident. He noted that while Israel has faced much tougher challenges, his son handled the situation with dignity. Throughout the match, Dor was subjected to verbal abuse, including chants of "Death to Israel" and calls to "Free Palestine," which Gabi said was unprecedented in the United States but occurred in Canada this time. He believes these insults were targeted at his son.

Regarding the celebration, Gabi explained that Dor always celebrates goals by spreading his arms and thanking God, a gesture consistent with his behavior in Israel. The "hand to the ear" gesture drew mixed feelings, as it brought political tensions into the sport. Gabi suspects the abuse came from a small group of immigrants in Canada. He also mentioned that Dor's teammates supported him after the confrontation, and the incident did not escalate beyond the game.

Gabi spoke about the distance from home, saying Boston is accessible with a direct nine-hour flight, and the family stays in close contact. He affirmed that moving to MLS was a positive decision professionally and socially, helping Dor improve his English and advance his career. When asked about goals for the season, Gabi expressed confidence that Dor could score in every game but did not set a specific target. He also mentioned that Dor follows and supports Maccabi Tel Aviv, though he is less connected now.