Hapoel Jerusalem Unveils Controversial New Logo Amid Fan Backlash

Hapoel Jerusalem basketball club officially revealed its new logo and branding under the slogan "Devotion Inspires" on August 23, 2026, following a month-long delay caused by a petition signed by over 1,000 fans opposing the initial launch. The redesign was created in collaboration with graphic designers from the fanbase, including Adam Amurai and Itamar Libergal, aiming to honor the club's history while modernizing its image.

Despite these efforts, the new emblem sparked widespread outrage on social media platforms like X and Instagram, with hundreds of fans criticizing the design as ugly and disrespectful to tradition. Comments compared the logo unfavorably to a date fruit ("like Tamr Mejhoul") and other teams' logos, expressing frustration with the management's decision. Some fans also linked their anger to the club’s recent competitive struggles, contrasting it with rival Tel Aviv teams' aggressive player acquisitions.

Club owner Matan Adelson defended the rebranding, emphasizing that the core symbols of the club, such as the Hapoel figure, basketball, and the city’s lions, were preserved. CEO Oren Arieli echoed this, stating the new logo represents the next chapter in the club’s proud history rather than a break from it. Nonetheless, the fanbase remains divided, with a few supporters encouraging acceptance of the new design while many continue to voice strong disapproval.

The controversy highlights the tension between club management’s vision for modernization and the fans’ desire to maintain tradition, especially amid ongoing challenges in team performance and player retention.