As Israel prepares for its UEFA Nations League match against France on Thursday at the Stade de France, the focus should not only been on the highly charged atmosphere surrounding the game but also on the diverse makeup of Israel’s national football team.
Many non-Jewish players are expected to take centre stage on Thursday. Among them are Mohammad Abu Fani, Mamoud Jaber, Ramzi Safouri, Anan Khalaili and Shareef Keouf – each with their own story of breaking barriers and rising to prominence within Israeli football.
One of the standout non-Jewish figures on the Israeli national squad is Abu Fani, a 26-year-old midfielder who hails from Kafr Qara, a predominantly Arab village in Israel.
Born into a Muslim-Arab family, Abu Fani has long been a respected figure in Israeli football. Starting his career at Maccabi Haifa, one of Israel's premier clubs, he quickly made a name for himself he made a move to Hungarian side Ferencvárosi TC in 2023.
He comes from a footballing family—his father, Sami Abu Fani, was also a local footballer who supported Mohammad’s career from an early age. Abu Fani’s contributions to the national team have earned him respect from both Jewish and Arab fans, highlighting his importance to Israeli football.
Mamoud Jaber, 25, hails from Tayibe, a predominantly Arab town in Israel. Jaber, who currently plays for Maccabi Haifa, is another key Muslim player on the Israeli team.
Born into an Arab-Muslim family of Palestinian descent, Jaber has earned three caps for the senior national squad.
Jaber's international career has been on the rise since he joined Antalyaspor in Turkey in 2023, after impressing in the Israeli Premier League.
With his technical ability in midfield, Jaber has become a crucial asset for Israel, making his debut for the national team in 2022.
Another important figure in the Israeli squad is Ramzi Safouri, 29, who was born in Jaffa to a Muslim-Arab family.
Safouri’s journey to the national team has been relatively recent, having debuted for Israel in 2022.
He currently plays for Turkish side Antalyaspor, and although his international appearances are limited, he’s been a reliable presence in the Israeli midfield when called upon.
Anan Khalaili was born in Haifa, Israel, to an Arab-Israeli family originally from the Arab village of Sakhnin. Khalaily, 20, who currently plays for Belgian Pro League club Union SG,
Shareef Keouf, 23, is a promising Druze goalkeeper from Isfiya, a Druze village on the slopes of Mount Carmel.
Although Keouf has yet to make his debut for the senior national team, his potential is undeniable. He currently plays as the backup goalkeeper for Maccabi Haifa, where he is being trained as one of Israel’s future stars in the position.
Keouf is one of the few Druze players in Israeli football, and his presence on the national team reflects the inclusion of Israel’s Druze community, which plays an important role in the country’s identity.
And for those who may have forgtten the former captain of the Israeli national team, Bibras Natcho, is also Muslim.
Last week, antisemitic violence in Amsterdam involving pro-Palestinian protesters targeting Jewish fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv highlighted the rising hostility toward Israelis, particularly Jews, in European cities.
In Paris, several hundred protesters gathered ahead of the match, denouncing the presence of the Israeli team. Protests were initially sparked by a gala supporting Israel’s military, but the unrest also reflected the broader political climate, where Israel’s actions in the Middle East have led to widespread criticism and condemnation.
Despite the focus on the Jewish players of Israel’s national squad, the composition of the team itself underscores the complexity of these tensions. The inclusion of Muslim, Druze, and Arab players challenges the oversimplified narrative that all Israelis are Jewish.
