As posted by Khalil Media in another thread this a fascinating, and in many ways tragic doco on the 2013/14 season at Beitar Jerusalem. A club infamous for it's far right, opening racist hardcore Jewish fans, who's then Russian owner undertook a crazy social experiment in 2013 by signing 2 Muslim players from Chechnya.
With what is currently happening in Gaza, and before even that the stark divisions in Israeli society with Benjamin Netanyahu as PM. Netanyahu ('Bibi') is a Beitar supporter.
Thought I'd also stick it in the Marinovic thread. Big Stef last season played for Hapoel Tel Aviv, many of whose fans are Socialists. The 2 clubs hate each other along political lines. All in all I imagine Marinovic is happy to be the fudge out of Israel. Maybe his time there saw him lose some love for football?? Maybe. Certainly a million miles different to peaceful little NZ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjOIRXG9LMQ
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beitar-Hapoel_rivalry
Rivalry with Hapoel Tel Aviv
With what is currently happening in Gaza, and before even that the stark divisions in Israeli society with Benjamin Netanyahu as PM. Netanyahu ('Bibi') is a Beitar supporter.
Thought I'd also stick it in the Marinovic thread. Big Stef last season played for Hapoel Tel Aviv, many of whose fans are Socialists. The 2 clubs hate each other along political lines. All in all I imagine Marinovic is happy to be the fudge out of Israel. Maybe his time there saw him lose some love for football?? Maybe. Certainly a million miles different to peaceful little NZ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjOIRXG9LMQ
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beitar-Hapoel_rivalry
Rivalry with Hapoel Tel Aviv
Another rivalry with Hapoel Tel Aviv which is a political rivalry, as Hapoel Tel Aviv supporters tend to be socialist, a stark contrast to the more right-wing Beitar supporters
In recant years, both clubs have become far less relevant, with Hapoel entering administration and then being relegated in 2017, and Beitar narrowly avoiding relegation several times. Hapoel has not won any major trophies since 2012, although Beitar have recently ended their major trophy drought winning the State Cup in 2023.
In recant years, both clubs have become far less relevant, with Hapoel entering administration and then being relegated in 2017, and Beitar narrowly avoiding relegation several times. Hapoel has not won any major trophies since 2012, although Beitar have recently ended their major trophy drought winning the State Cup in 2023.
Despite this, the rivalry has remained quite fierce, with fixtures between the two often involving racist provocative chants.
On March 5, 2023, before a match against Beitar, Hapoel's practice facility in South Tel Aviv was burnt down, five suspects were arrested the following day.
On October 2, 2023, following a 3-0 loss at home to Hapoel (which was the club's biggest away win against Beitar), Beitar fans went into the club's dressing room to curse and insult the players for such a humiliating loss.[19] Also, yet another violent incident between both clubs fanbases occurred following the match.[20]