Israeli football club Beitar Jerusalem is changing its name – to “Beitar Trump Jerusalem”.
The change, in honour of US president Donald Trump, was announced the day before the opening of the controversial new US embassy in the city of Jerusalem.
70 שנה המתינה ירושלים להכרה בינלאומית, עד שהנשיא דונלד טראמפ החליט לעשות מעשה והכיר בה כבירת הנצח של עם ישראל.בית”ר ירושלים, מהמותגים הירושלמים הבולטים ביותר, החליט לגמול לנשיא על אהבתו, ומעתה תיקרא קבוצת המנורה “בית”ר ‘טראמפ’ ירושלים”.לפרטים המלאים: https://t.co/F03lrPfsmO pic.twitter.com/pngl3dPUwi
— Beitar Jerusalem FC (@fcbeitar) May 13, 2018
The embassy’s move from Tel Aviv under the orders of President Trump has angered members of Palestinian and Muslim communities and incited violence in the city, but has been praised as “courageous” by the football club.
In a statement on their official Facebook page, the club said: “For 70 years Jerusalem has been awaiting international recognition, until President Donald Trump, in a courageous move, recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”
Six-times champions Beitar are backed by a vociferous band of right-wing supporters and are the only leading Israeli club never to have signed an Arab player.
Israeli popular football team Beitar Jerusalem decided to add the name “Trump” to its brand. “As a gesture of love to POTUS”. Tne new American Embassy in Jerusalem will be innagurated tomorrow.
— Ben Caspit בן כספית (@BenCaspit) May 13, 2018
The signing of two Muslim players from Chechnya in 2013 caused uproar, and when one of them Zaur Sadayev, scored on his debut against Netanya, hundreds of Beitar ultras, known as “La Familia”, walked out.
Beitar are currently second in the Israeli Ligat Ha’al, seven points behind leaders Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
