Beitar Jerusalem

Beitar Jerusalem climbs to the summit as three-way title race reaches fever pitch

As each day goes by, it becomes a day closer to the end of the season and a chance to take home the elusive title, one that Beitar Jerusalem has not won since the 2007/08 season.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM players celebrate amid a roaring Teddy Stadium crowd as the capital club has surged into first place in a thrilling and tightly contested title race.
BEITAR JERUSALEM (in yellow) and Hapoel Beersheba are in a tight title race, separated by just two points after their 2-2 draw over the weekend.

Shabbat showdown down South as Beitar Jerusalem, Hapoel Beersheba deliver thriller

While the game ended in a 2-2 draw, the match had many ups and downs, creating excitement galore for fans of Hapoel Beersheba and Beitar Jerusalem.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM players celebrate after a recent dominant performance, as the capital club continues its push for the Israel Premier League title.

Beitar Jerusalem set for crunch championship showdown in Beersheba

There are no ifs, ands, or buts. The yellow-and-black is two points off the top of the table, where Hapoel Beersheba currently resides, and it will need to beat the best in order to be the best.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
GONZALEZ SCORES for Beitar Jerusalem just 30 seconds into the derby, sending his club on its way to a 2-0 win.

Beitar rules Jerusalem derby; Beersheba takes first

Hapoel coach Ziv Arie lamented the slow start but noted his side created chances, while goalkeeper Nadav Zamir admitted the early goal made the match difficult.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Sounds of silence: Israeli sports return, but minus fans who define them

As the Israel Soccer League resumed play across the country this week, the atmosphere was eerie. It evoked the empty-stadium days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

APRIL 9, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM players celebrate a dramatic late winner at Teddy Stadium – their joy echoing through empty stands as fans cheer from afar in homes and shelters across Israel.

Luka Gadrani anchors Beitar Jerusalem’s defense as championship race heats up

Gadrani, who joined the club at the end of September from Kairat Almaty, has been one of the standouts as the Georgian national team defender provides a cool, calm, and collected presence.

MARCH 8, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM defender Luka Gadrani has brought stability to the club’s back line since arriving from Kairat Almaty, helping the capital side stay in title contention.

Beitar’s ‘Crazy 8s’: Yitzchaki’s faith rewarded in historic Netanya rout - comment

When Beitar Jerusalem started to score, score, and score some more this week at Maccabi Netanya, you could feel that the floodgates had opened and there was history in the making.

FEBRUARY 25, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM coach Barak Yitzchaki oversees his side’s emphatic 8-2 victory this week over Maccabi Netanya, a result that reignited the club’s league title charge.

Beitar runs riot over Netanya to remain in title race

Elsewhere, Hapoel Petah Tikva slipped by Maccabi Haifa 1-0 as Mamady Diarra scored the lone goal of the match in the 59th minute to take the points and stay in the Championship Playoff picture.

FEBRUARY 25, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
IT WAS a full team effort for Beitar Jerusalem at Maccabi Netanya, with the capital city side featuring seven different scorers in an 8-2 away rout in league play.

Former hostage Elkana Bohbot plans speaking tour, book as part of recovery from captivity

Bohbot said that what helps him most during his recovery period is focusing on his book, '738 Days in Hamas Captivity.' "I'm trying to push it," he said.

FEBRUARY 20, 2026By103FM
FREED HOSTAGE Elkana Bohbot arrives to his home in Mevasseret, outside of Jerusalem, October 19, 2025.

Stav Turiel’s brace leads Hapoel Tel Aviv to win over Hapoel Jerusalem in Premier League clash

In addition, Maccabi Haifa and Beersheba secure wins while Beitar honors former hostage Elkana Bohbot before a goalless draw with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV players are all smiles during their 3-1 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium.

Beersheba widens gap on Beitar Jerusalem, Maccabi Tel Aviv blanks Maccabi Bnei Reineh for third

Late headers, big saves, and packed stadiums highlight a dramatic week in the Israeli Premier League.

FEBRUARY 10, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL BEERSHEBA’S Igor Zlatanovic (front) celebrates after scoring the Reds’ first goal in their 2-1 victory over Beitar Jerusalem this week at Turner Stadium.

Hapoel Beersheba leapfrogs Beitar Jerusalem back into first place

Beersheba will face second-place Beitar Jerusalem in its next league match.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV teammates Dor Peretz (left) and Sayed Abu Farchi celebrate during their 4-1 Premier League victory over Ironi Kiryat Shmona on Monday night.

Down the yellow-and-black road: Beitar Jerusalem’s title dream takes shape

Beitar, for the first time in what seemed to be eons, was atop the table with the season having just completed Matchday 19, as it took over sole possession of first place.

JANUARY 23, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM coach Barak Itzhaki has quietly guided the yellow-and-black from early-season promise to an unlikely place atop the Israel Premier League table at midseason.

Beitar Jerusalem moves into top spot

Hapoel Beersheba falls late to Hapoel Tel Aviv • Maccabi Haifa dominates Maccabi Tel Aviv

JANUARY 20, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV’S Liran Rotman assisted on the winning goal and made up for his penalty miss in last week’s derby as the Reds beat Hapoel Beersheba 2-1 at Bloomfield.