Netanyahu's Pre-Election Visit to Beitar Jerusalem Game Draws Criticism

By מערכת אתר ערוץ הספורט

Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba

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Hebrew · 5 newsrooms covering

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attendance at a Beitar Jerusalem soccer match, his first in five years, is drawing criticism just a week before elections. Shaul Meridor, a candidate for Knesset, called the visit "disgusting" and politically motivated. Meridor questioned Netanyahu's sudden interest in the team after a long absence. The Likud party has not yet commented on the criticism.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will attend a Beitar Jerusalem soccer match after a five-year absence.
The visit occurs just one week before national elections.
Knesset candidate Shaul Meridor criticized the visit as "disgusting" and politically motivated.
Meridor questioned Netanyahu's sudden interest in the team after a long period of absence.
The Likud party has not yet responded to the criticism.

Netanyahu's Pre-Election Visit to Beitar Jerusalem Game Draws Criticism — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to attend a Beitar Jerusalem soccer match at Teddy Stadium on Monday, his first visit to a game of his favored team in five years. The visit, occurring just a week before elections, has sparked criticism from political opponents. Shaul Meridor, a candidate for Knesset with Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar" party, slammed the timing, calling it "transparent" and "disgusting." Meridor questioned Netanyahu's sudden interest in attending a game after a five-year absence, suggesting it was a political ploy to appeal to Beitar fans. He argued that Netanyahu doesn't genuinely care about the team and is underestimating the intelligence of its supporters. Meridor contrasted Netanyahu's absence with his own consistent attendance at games as a genuine fan, noting that other supporters like Nir Barkat also attend games legitimately. The Likud party had not yet responded to Meridor's comments at the time of reporting.

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