Hapoel Tel Aviv Fan Podcast Sparks Outrage With Anti-Settler Post
A podcast run by fans of the Hapoel Tel Aviv soccer club has ignited widespread anger with a "humorous" post targeting settlers from Judea and Samaria ahead of a match against Beitar Jerusalem. The podcast, "Tzeva Adom" (Red Color), posted a graphic on X, formerly Twitter, declaring "zero tolerance for settlers" and suggesting that stadium staff would identify and eject any settlers found in the stands, with their season tickets immediately canceled.
The post was intended as a satirical jab at the club's official policy of canceling season tickets for any fan caught reselling their tickets to opposing team supporters, particularly for high-stakes games. However, the podcast's creators replaced the target of the official policy, Beitar Jerusalem fans, with "settlers," a move that has been widely condemned as offensive and divisive.
Critics argue that the "satire" unfairly targets hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens, including many reservist soldiers who serve in Judea and Samaria. The post has been described as "outrageous" and a "new low" in stadium animosity, drawing sharp criticism from social media users who expressed shock at the polarizing message.
The podcast "Tzeva Adom" is known within the Hapoel Tel Aviv fan community and describes itself sarcastically as "a podcast for bitter and hateful people" focused on the club. The creators' attempt to use residents of Judea and Samaria, many of whom are described as self-sacrificing fighters, as the subject of their satire has led to a flood of angry and justified reactions.
