Violent Clashes Erupt After Maccabi Tel Aviv Beats Hapoel Jerusalem in Season Opener

The first round of the Israeli Premier League opened with a serious violent incident following the match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem on August 23, 2026. Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a 5-2 victory at the new stadium in Rehovot, but outside the venue, a small group of Maccabi fans attacked Hapoel Jerusalem supporters using batons and pepper spray. Videos circulating on social media showed Maccabi fans attempting to forcibly remove Hapoel fans from a white car, striking the vehicle with batons, and deploying pepper spray against one of the opposing supporters.

One Hapoel Jerusalem fan described the distressing aftermath, noting that fans had to plead with police to intervene, which only happened after stones were thrown. Only one Maccabi fan was arrested. The fan expressed fear about attending matches due to the threat of being targeted outside the stadium.

Maccabi Tel Aviv's club management condemned the violence and announced efforts to identify and ban the violent fans from future games. They also called on the police to take firm action against the perpetrators. Hapoel Jerusalem expressed sadness over the violent scenes, highlighting that fans were attacked, robbed, and required medical treatment after the game. They confirmed receiving evidence identifying some attackers and urged the Israeli police to act accordingly. Both clubs emphasized the need to prevent such incidents moving forward.