Netanyahu's Pre-Election Visit to Beitar Jerusalem Game Criticized
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Shaul Meridor, a candidate for Knesset, criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned attendance at a Beitar Jerusalem soccer match, calling it "disgusting" and a transparent political ploy before elections. Meridor highlighted that Netanyahu has not attended a game in five years, questioning the timing of his sudden appearance. He argued that Netanyahu's visit is not indicative of genuine support for the team and suggested fans are not easily swayed by such actions. The Likud party had not yet commented on the criticism.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shaul Meridor called Prime Minister Netanyahu's pre-election visit to a soccer game "disgusting."
- Meridor stated Netanyahu has not attended a Beitar Jerusalem game in five years.
- The visit is seen by critics as a transparent political ploy before elections.
- Meridor questioned the timing of Netanyahu's appearance at Teddy Stadium.
- The Likud party had not yet responded to the criticism.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to attend a Beitar Jerusalem soccer match at Teddy Stadium on Monday, marking his first appearance at a game in five years. The visit, occurring just a week before elections, has drawn sharp criticism from Shaul Meridor, a candidate for Knesset with Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar" party.
Meridor slammed Netanyahu's attendance as "disgusting" and "transparent," questioning the timing. "He hasn't been to a soccer game in five years, and suddenly a week before elections, it's important for him to come?" Meridor stated, "It's so transparent, so disgusting. Let's make a deal, whoever attended 10% of the games in the last two years, then they can come. He doesn't care about Beitar. Does he think Beitar fans are stupid? Beitar fans are serious people."
Meridor, who identifies as a Beitar Jerusalem fan himself, contrasted his consistent attendance at games for four months with Netanyahu's absence. "I go because I'm a Beitar fan and that's what I've been doing for years," he said. He also mentioned Nir Barkat as a legitimate Beitar fan, but reiterated his criticism of Netanyahu's sudden appearance before the elections.
Meridor asserted that Netanyahu's visit is not about genuine support for the team but a political maneuver to appeal to Beitar fans, some of whom vote for Netanyahu and some do not. He believes the fans are not easily fooled by such tactics.
The Likud party headquarters had not yet responded to Meridor's comments at the time of publication.
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