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Post by rugbytoffee on May 14, 2018 15:32:33 GMT
Israeli club Beitar Jerusalem have announced a change of the club’s name to ‘Beitar Trump Jerusalem’ in honour of the “courageous” US president. The move came on the eve of the inauguration of the controversial new US embassy in the city, which has angered members of the Palestinian and Muslim communities. “For 70 years Jerusalem has been awaiting international recognition, until President Donald Trump, in a courageous move, recognised Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Israel,” the club said in a statement on its official Facebook page. “President Trump has shown courage, and true love of the Israeli people and their capital, and these days other countries are following his lead in giving Jerusalem its rightful status. “The football club Beitar Jerusalem, one of the most prominent symbols of the city, is happy to honor the president for his love and support with a gesture of our own.” Six-times champions Beitar are backed by a vociferous band of right-wing supporters and are the only leading Israeli club never to have signed an Arab player. The signing of two Muslim players from Chechnya in 2013 caused uproar, and when one of them – Zaur Sadayev – scored on his debut against Netanya, hundreds of Beitar ultras, known as ‘La Familia’, walked out. Beitar are currently second in the Israeli Ligat Ha’al, seven points behind leaders Hapoel Be’er Sheva. However, the Jerusalem Post reports that there are obstacles to the club changing its name. As well as requiring permission from the Israel Football Association, the club also faces the risk of being sued because “Donald Trump” has been a registered trademark in the country since 2008.
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