Nearly two weeks have passed since the troubling incidents that followed the Jerusalem derby, yet no official response has been issued by the moderate team from Jerusalem, Hapoel Jerusalem. The silence remains striking.
By contrast, an incident involving the alleged assault of an Arab security guard by undercover police officers prompted a swift and justified public response. Are supporters of Hapoel Jerusalem not entitled to the same level of attention and accountability?
At the same time, the right-wing team from Jerusalem, Beitar Jerusalem, which hosted the derby and in whose aftermath serious incidents occurred, including a stone thrown at a bus carrying Hapoel Jerusalem supporters, also chose to remain conspicuously silent.
The Israel Football Association and the league administration, both typically quick to issue statements on a wide range of matters, have likewise fallen quiet.
Most troubling of all is the silence from the association’s prosecutor, who has so far declined to file charges against Beitar Jerusalem over the incidents. For some, this selective assertiveness reinforces the sense that accountability is applied unevenly.
Meanwhile, loud voices from media figures and self-appointed spokespeople affiliated with Beitar Jerusalem have been quick to dominate the conversation. On the one hand, they have formally condemned violence, as expected. On the other, they rushed to warn against “staining” the entire fan base, stressing that responsibility lay with only a “small minority,” while simultaneously pointing fingers at other clubs’ supporters, an effort that, to many, appears designed to deflect scrutiny away from the club they support.
From 9 Players to 10 – Can Hapoel Jerusalem Reach 11?
On the sporting front, the away victory in Ashdod, combined with results from fellow relegation rivals, marked a significant step toward closing the gap and restoring Hapoel Jerusalem to a realistic survival battle in the top flight. Standout performers from the derby maintained their strong form, with Cedric Don emerging above all others after scoring twice. The decision to bench Guy Badash also proved effective. Still, the team has effectively been playing ten against eleven, and if head coach Ziv Arie opts to bench Matan Hozez as well, Hapoel Jerusalem may finally field a full-strength lineup against Hapoel Haifa on Saturday.
The upcoming match against Hapoel Haifa is critical and presents a serious challenge. While the opponent is currently experiencing a poor run of form and is a direct rival in the relegation battle, the heavy defeat Hapoel Jerusalem suffered at Sami Ofer Stadium remains a clear warning sign. The positive atmosphere following the win in Ashdod recalls the mood ahead of the match against Bnei Reina, and there is hope the team will avoid any sense of unjustified complacency. Consistency is now the key objective.
It is also worth remembering that both recent victories were achieved away from home. Traditionally, when large crowds fill Teddy Stadium at convenient kickoff times, Hapoel Jerusalem have struggled to deliver. Avoiding that familiar pitfall will be crucial.
