developing· Politics· Updated 15:20

Netanyahu to Attend Soccer Match Amid Election Campaign, Facing Legal Challenge

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to attend a major soccer match between Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Teddy Stadium on Monday evening, marking his first appearance at a Beitar game in five years. The visit, occurring just over a week before the October 27th election, is being widely viewed as a campaign move. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and Minister of Transportation Miri Regev are also expected to attend, while opposition figures Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman are boycotting the event to avoid mixing politics with sports.

3 newsrooms · 1 language · since 18 Oct, 10:46

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Netanyahu to Attend Soccer Match Amid Election Campaign, Facing Legal Challenge — Illustration by baba

What happened

01Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attending a Beitar Jerusalem soccer match on Monday for the first time in five years.
02The visit comes just over a week before the upcoming national election scheduled for October 27th.
03MK Gadi Eisenkot and Yisrael Beiteinu demanded that broadcasters refrain from airing any election propaganda by Netanyahu during the match.
04Opposition leader Yair Lapid and Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman are boycotting the game to protest political exploitation of sports.
05Beitar Jerusalem fan groups criticized the politicians, stating they only use the team for photo opportunities during election periods.
06Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Minister Miri Regev are also expected to join Netanyahu at the Teddy Stadium fixture.
07Police have deployed large forces to manage the 30,000 fans, with the light rail operating for stadium transport for the first time.

Netanyahu's planned attendance has triggered legal challenges and political pushback. MK Gadi Eisenkot and the Yisrael Beiteinu party sent an urgent letter to the Sports Channel demanding that broadcasters refrain from airing election propaganda or speeches by the Prime Minister during the game, threatening to seek an injunction if necessary. Additionally, some commentators noted that the presence of political figures could potentially violate FIFA regulations against political involvement in football.

Some Beitar Jerusalem fans have also publicly criticized the visit, arguing that Teddy Stadium should not be used as a political backdrop. A prominent fan page expressed frustration that politicians only show up for photo opportunities during election season while ignoring the club during financial crises and failing to resolve ongoing stadium accessibility issues. Police have deployed significant forces to manage the expected crowd of 30,000 fans, utilizing the light rail for the first time to transport attendees.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 15:31

Latest report: Channel 13. Read Channel 13’s original