Abu Dhabi ruling family member buys 50% stake in Beitar Jerusalem

The purchase comes amid a flurry of business deals between Israel and the UAE following their move to establish formal diplomatic relations.

In an announcement posted on their website, Beitar said Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan’s purchase also included a commitment to invest more than 300 million shekels over the next 10 years.

Beitar Jerusalem is a bastion of Israel’s political right-wing and a group of supporters known as “La Familia” has been openly abusive toward Israel’s Arab minority.

Beitar’s announcement on Monday quoted Sheikh Hamad as saying: “I am thrilled to be a partner in such a glorious club that I have heard so much of and in such a great city, the capital of Israel and one of the holiest cities in the world.”

Israel regards all of Jerusalem as its capital, a position that is shared by the United States but not recognised by most countries.