Jerusalem's largest soccer team changes name to send direct message to Trump
The largest soccer team in Jerusalem, the storied Beitar Jerusalem, announced a permanent change to its name Sunday, per The Times of Israel.
And it’s a change that will thrill President Donald Trump, who resides nearly 6,000 miles away from where the team plays.
Henceforth, Beitar Jerusalem will be called Beitar Trump Jerusalem.
So yes, the same Donald Trump who has waged cultural war with American professional football will now be permanently honored by an international fútbol team.
Sometimes, fact can truly be stranger than fiction.
By the same token, perhaps this shouldn’t be that big of a surprise.
Trump has made international headlines by formally recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It’s a move that Beitar Trump Jerusalem applauded.
“For 70 years has Jerusalem been awaiting international recognition, until President Donald Trump, in a courageous move, recognized Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Israel,” the club wrote on Facebook. “President Trump has shown courage, and true love of the Israeli people and their capital, and these days other countries are following his lead in giving Jerusalem its rightful status.”
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“Beitar Jerusalem, one of the most prominent symbols of the city, are happy to honor the president for his love and support with a gesture of our own,” the post continued. “The chairmen of the club, the owner Eli Tabib and the executive manager Eli Ohana have decided to add to the club’s title the name of the American President who made history, and from now on will be called Beitar Trump Jerusalem.”
And just in case there was any doubt about how much Beitar Trump Jerusalem appreciates the U.S. president, the club made it abundantly clear in its concluding statement:
“We have the greatest love for the President, and it will win!”
Of course, as with most things involving the current presidential administration, the name change comes amid controversy.
Beitar Jerusalem has come under fire for alleged anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias. It is the only club in Israeli league history to never have signed an Arab Muslim player, although it has had Muslim players.
The name change announcement comes just a day before the United States is expected to officially open its new Israeli embassy, having moved it from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Beitar Trump Jerusalem sits in second place of the Israeli Premier League.
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