Origins in the 1930s
The history of Beitar Jerusalem dates back to before the establishment of the State of Israel. In the 1930s, the club was founded by David Horn and Shmuel Kirstein.
Both were members of the Beitar or Betar movement, a right-wing, revisionist-Zionist movement that can also be seen as a precursor to the later political parties Cherut and Likud.
In Israel, it is common for football clubs to be linked to political movements. Thus, there are several Beitar clubs throughout the country, but Maccabi and Hapoel clubs are structured similarly.
Over 20,000 Fans in "Hell"
However, while there are several successful Maccabi and Hapoel clubs, Jerusalem is by far the most successful Beitar club and also the best club in the city.
In total, Beitar Jerusalem has won six league titles and eight cup victories in Israel.
With its successes, the club has also managed to enthuse a large number of fans. Last season, an average of over 20,000 spectators came to home games at Teddy Stadium, which is called "Gehinnom" (Hell) by Beitar fans due to the atmosphere.
"A Meeting Point for the Right-Wing"
Several members of the Israeli governing party Likud are said to be among the sympathizers, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Ronny Blaschke, a German sports journalist who has extensively covered football in Israel, says: "As a sports club, Beitar was also a meeting place for nationalist groups. Benjamin Netanyahu and Reuven Rivlin appeared in the VIP box. Rivlin later also served as Beitar's managing director. So the VIP box was indeed a meeting point for the right-wing."
One player under contract at Beitar is Shon Weissman. The former Bundesliga top scorer returned to his home country this summer from Blau-Weiß Linz. In the past, he has often caused a stir due to anti-Palestinian postings.
Not a Single Arab
On its club website, Beitar writes about its values: "At its core is the concept that 'every individual is a king, equal to another.' This means that every person should be treated with respect, inclusion, and equality, regardless of their religion, origin, or gender."
In reality, however, things look a bit different. Because despite the fact that almost 20 percent of Israel's population is of Arab origin, not a single Arab has ever played for Beitar Jerusalem.
La Familia ist ein wichtiges Netzwerk für Rechte und Rechtsextreme in Israel. Die können sich dort fernab strenger politischer Protokolle wohlfühlen.
Even in the future, Blaschke considers it almost impossible: "It is utopian that an Arab player will ever appear there."
There have also been very few other Muslim players at the club so far. Again and again, there were fan protests when the club announced the transfer of a Muslim player.
When two Russian Muslims were introduced at Beitar in 2013, supporters of the club set fire to club offices. These attacks were widely and sharply condemned at the time. Netanyahu also said afterwards: "We cannot accept such racist behavior."
"La Familia"
Nevertheless, such behavior repeatedly occurs at Beitar, largely due to a fan group. "La Familia" is considered one of Israel's most notorious and extreme ultra groups.
"La Familia is an important network for right-wingers and right-wing extremists in Israel. There, they can feel comfortable away from strict political protocols. La Familia connects football and the pre-political space," says Blaschke about the ultra group.
"La Familia" was founded in 2005 and has continuously expanded its power and influence since then. In the stands, they are often the loudest and those who shout "Destroy the enemies of Israel"" and "Death to all Arabs."
Even More Extreme Since October 7th
Matches against Ibud Bnei Sakhnin, the only largely Arab-influenced club in Israel's first division, are particularly sensitive. Clashes have occurred repeatedly.
Since the Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023, the situation has become even more extreme. Shortly thereafter, Beitar hooligans allegedly attacked a hospital, as a Hamas fighter was supposedly being treated there.
Blaschke says: "Beitar fans have always brought racism into the stadiums, but since October 7, that has intensified even further, especially in matches against Bnei Sakhnin. It has increased significantly, but is now also more widely accepted than before."
One person who has been seen more often in Beitar Stadium since then is the far-right Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. He was surrounded and embraced by ultras at a match in Ashdod near the Gaza Strip, before they started singing songs like "We hate all Arabs."
Sanctions and Stadium Bans
The behavior of Beitar supporters, however, did not go unpunished. Again and again, there were sanctions, both from FIFA and the Israeli Football Association (IFA).
Human rights organizations like "Kick It Out Israel" repeatedly campaign against racism and discrimination in stadiums.
In Israel wird das politische Image nicht mehr so problematisch betrachtet, weil die Gesellschaft mehr nach rechts gerückt ist.
The club itself also tries to make a statement and repeatedly imposes penalties and stadium bans on individual fans.
Sheikh's Takeover Failed
In 2020, Beitar Jerusalem was on the verge of a new investor joining. Hamad bin Khalifa Al Nayhan, a sheikh from the United Arab Emirates, was to take over 50 percent of the club.
This led to large protests from the fans. Notably, some members of "La Familia" are said to have been involved in the demonstrations.
The deal ultimately fell through, but not because of the fan protests. The financial authorities found irregularities in Al Nayhan's finances.
No Rosy Future
Even though former chairmen have repeatedly tried to initiate changes in the club, Blaschke does not believe that the club can shed its political image in the near future.
"In Israel, the political image is no longer seen as so problematic because society has shifted further to the right. Therefore, I also don't believe that this image will change," says the German.
