Beitar Jerusalem

Israeli clubs face mixed fortunes in Europe

Hapoel Tel Aviv advances in Conference League • Maccabi Tel Aviv falls out of Europa League • Beitar Jerusalem eliminated.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV players celebrate after advancing to the UEFA Conference League playoff round, where it will face Italian powerhouse Atalanta.
Hapoel Tel Aviv players celebrate after the Reds earned a 2-0 first-leg victory over Katowice in Conference League qualifying.

Mixed results for Israeli clubs in European soccer qualifying, Hapoel Tel Aviv achieve valuable win

Beitar Jerusalem came up short against Austria Wien 2-1 in the first leg of their Conference League third-round qualifying tie, while Maccabi Tel Aviv suffered a 3-0 defeat to CSKA Sofia.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Shimon Chernocha.

Former Beitar Jerusalem player Shimon Chernocha dies at age 78

"He was always a listening ear, knew how to give the combative advice to the team," said former player Aviram Brokhian. "Every player on the team loved him."

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
MACCABI TEL AVIV players celebrate after sealing a 6-0 aggregate victory over Sheriff Tiraspol to advance to the third round of UEFA Europa League qualifying.

Israeli soccer clubs extend winning streaks, advance to third round of European qualifying

Maccabi Tel Aviv cruises past Sheriff Tiraspol, Beitar Jerusalem survives a dramatic penalty shootout vs Larnaca, and Hapoel Tel Aviv advances past Ludogorets into the 3rd round.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

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.

Beitar Jerusalem grabs share of first place in win against Maccabi Bnei Reineh

Beersheba still tops table on goal difference • Macaabi Tel Aviv edges Sakhnin • Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel TA draw

JANUARY 11, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM players celebrate with Timoti Muzie (center) after his 33rd-minute tally provided all the scoring in Beitar’s 1-0 win over Maccabi Bnei Reineh.

Eran Zahavi announces retirement, bringing an era of Israeli soccer to a close

After months of speculation and deliberation, the all-time leading scorer of the Israel national team confirmed that he will not return to the pitch.

JANUARY 1, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ERAN ZAHAVI, the all-time leading scorer of the Israel national team, bid farewell to the pitch at 38, closing the curtain on a legendary career defined by goals, records and unforgettable moments.

State Cup weekend sees Beitar comeback and dominant displays by top clubs

Beitar survives the rain • Mac Tel Aviv and Mac Haifa run amok • Hap Tel Aviv, Beersheba advance

DECEMBER 28, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEITAR JERUSALEM’S Omer Atzili celebrates after his goal during the 2-1 victory for the capital city side over Ironi Tiberias in the State Cup round-of-32.