The Beitar (Trump) of Jerusalem in the hands of an Arab sheikh
Donald Trump's administration is coming to an end, to the misfortune of many, like the team that is the protagonist of this story. The still President of the United States could win the Nobel Peace Prize for his peace plan between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The so-called "Abraham Agreements", in honour of the patriarch of the world's three main Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity, were completed in August 2020. They are signed by Trump himself, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamín Netanyahu and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed. Israel thus managed to sign peace with a third neighbouring country in addition to Egypt and Jordan.
Iran is the common enemy of these countries and, of course, of the USA. Its bloody religious fights between Shia and Sunni; serious trade problems over oil and sea passage; and defensive tensions over Iran's nuclear programme have forced a common front that was unthinkable years ago. Israel reached agreements for direct flights to be operated between the two countries. This would facilitate tourism and religious visits. Security, telecommunications, energy and health alliances are also signed to combat the coronavirus that continues to ravage the area. This is a betrayal of Palestine because more pacts with Oman or Bahrain are on the horizon. The intrahistory of these agreements is pure global geopolitics that goes back to time immemorial.
Beitar Jerusalem is a football club in Israel. It is one of the four most important clubs together with Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Maccabi Haifa. Teams whose sport is running out the moment that politics takes over their stands. Since its foundation in 1936, Hapoel have been considered close to the right, while Hapoel are left-wing and therefore their duels go beyond football. Throughout its history it has been well treated by foreign investors. It makes it easy for Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Likud party to be open-minded Beitar supporters. In 2005 the Russian petrodollars arrived. In 2018 Moshe Hogeg, a young technology magnate, acquired the club and in 2020 the Arab sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Nahyan took control of half the shares. An Arab at the helm of a club considered the symbol of the Jewish nationalist movement and of broad sectors of the Israeli right.
In 2018 the Beitar of Jerusalem decided to extend its name to Beitar Trump Jerusalem in gratitude to the American president who recognised Jerusalem as "the eternal capital of Israel". With change of embassy included. The name change has not yet materialised. It is a letter that the new leaders keep up their sleeves if "The Family" decides to stand up to the new investors.
The Family
Written in Spanish, "La Familia" is the most radical faction of Beitar's followers. They profess deep Arab hatred and boast that their team has included players of Muslim faith, but not of Arab nationality. Crazy. This stand has historically served as a bastion for radicalism. In 2007 they booed the minute's silence held in the stadium on the 12th anniversary of the murder of Yitzhak Rabin. They even chanted the name of the Jewish ultra-nationalist who pulled the trigger three times. Years later, they made life impossible for Ndala Ibrahim, a Nigerian and Muslim player who ended up leaving the team after four black and white matches. Sadayev was a Chechen and Muslim striker who saw "The Family" leave the stands after scoring the first goal with Beitar.
The future of this stand seems to have an expiration date. Hogeg confronted "The Family" with personal complaints and threatened those who encouraged racism with fines of one million euros. Little by little they are disappearing from the club's environment, although the arrival of the Arab sheikh made 70 ultras show up at the team's training session to make clear their position against the purchase. "I am sure that the majority of Beitar's fans support this decision. We should not give importance to the small group that criticizes it and makes noise. These are people who are just trying to tarnish the name of the club. I wish they would disassociate themselves from Beitar," those words are from Ehud Olmert, the former mayor of Jerusalem, prime minister and supporter of the team.
The arrival of financial assets to Israel from the Emirates is a major boost. In the case of Hogeg, it is a relief because the club had a considerable economic hole that will cover the 80 million euros of investment that will arrive in the coming years. If he keeps his finger on the pulse of "The Family" and manages to wear it down until it disappears, he will have achieved a historic milestone in the complicated relationship between the countries of the Middle East.
Trump's drastic political decisions leave a wake wherever they go. Better or worse. Through familiar or unexpected places. The Beitar's Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem will continue to witness his club's adventures. More than a club. Much more.
