Jerusalem derby

The rivalry between Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Jerusalem has been a long-standing rivalry that stems from the political identification of the both clubs: while Beitar was belonged to the Beitar movement, The Revisionist Zionists, Hapoel was identified as a left wing movement, affiliated with the Mapai governmental institutions, and the Workers association. In the 1980s, after the Israeli legislative election, 1977, Beitar was strengthened by its ties with the Likud Party, while Hapoel support declined.

This political division is still valid today, when Beшtar is the right-wing сдги and emphasizes its Jewish nationality, while Hapoel is identified with the left side of the political map and supports the equality between nations and classes. Arab players never played in Beitar due to the resistance of Beitar's fans which have profited from expressions against Arabs, with contrast to Hapoel.

In this game there is a meaning to the colors of the teams: The colors of the Beitar are yellow and black, yellow was a color that for long periods of history was identified with the Jewish people and Judaism, especially during the difficult times (see the yellow star) and the colors of Hapoel are red and black. Red is a color that represents the left wing movement, the workers and socialism.

During the protracted periods, the rivalry also assumed regional character, with most Beitar supporters living in the north of the city (Nahlaot, Rehavia, Mahaneh Yehuda, Musrara, etc.), while Hapoel ruled the southern part of the city (Katamon, German Colony, Kiryat Yovel, Beit HaKerem and Bakaa) This division derived mainly from the location of the stadiums, the YMCA stadium in the north (which belonged to Beitar) and the Katamon field in the south. Even though today the fans' strongholds are Katamon for the Hapoel fans, and the Mahaneh Yehuda for Beitar fans, the division is not as clear as in the past, and both clubs are sympathetic from all parts of the city and beyond.

Today, following the decline of Hapoel Jerusalem, and the split of some of its fans into Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Derby league games were stopped. The last Jerusalem derby took place on April 15, 2000, in the 33rd round of the 1999/2000 season and ended with a 1:1 score. At the end of this season, Hapoel dropped out of the senior league and did not return - which prevent further Derby meetings in the league.

Today the both teams play their home games at Teddy Stadium.