One of Israel’s most prominent soccer teams, Beitar Jerusalem, has added President Donald Trump’s name to the club’s title to honor him for moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, The Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday.
"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," the team said in a statement, adding that "for 70 years, Jerusalem has been awaiting international recognition, until President Donald Trump, in a courageous move, recognized Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Israel. 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 club said its name will now be “Beitar Trump Jerusalem.”
However, the name change does face some obstacles, the Post reported.
It will need official approval from the Israel Football Association, which is not automatic, and Trump has been a registered trademark in Israel since 2008, so the club would need permission to use it.
The announcement comes one day before the official opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
Beitar has a long history of anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiment, according to The Times of Israel.
It is the only team in the Israeli soccer league that has never had an Arab Muslim player, even though such players are prominent on the squads of all other teams.
Club management has previously made attempts to crack down on racist fans who support it, and the team has repeatedly been penalized by the Israeli league for racist activities by its fans.
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