“The Ancient Jewish Army”.. Why Do Israeli Clubs Start with the Name “Maccabi”?”

On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, the website of the Israeli club “Maccabi Tel Aviv” was hacked by a group calling itself “Jordan Hackers.” The hackers placed an image of Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, on the homepage, at a time when the Zionist occupation continues its brutal war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

As of Tuesday morning, November 7, 2023, the website’s administrators were still unable to restore access following the breach. Upon reviewing a previously cached version of the site from just hours earlier, one could see a large image of the Al-Qassam spokesperson displayed prominently.

The image was accompanied by an audio clip, and beneath it was the phrase: “Gaza Forever”, along with the name “Jordan Hackers” written in English—signifying the group responsible for the attack.

Tracing the History of “Maccabi Tel Aviv”

In this report, we delve into the history of “Maccabi Tel Aviv,” a club established even before the so-called State of Israel was founded in 1948. We also explore the reasons behind the widespread use of the word “Maccabi” in the names of many Israeli sports clubs.

The First to Embrace Zionism

Forty-two years before the Zionist occupation declared statehood, Maccabi Tel Aviv was founded in 1906 under the name “HaRishon LeZion-Yaffo”, meaning “The First to Zionism in Jaffa” in Hebrew. This makes it the oldest and most decorated football club in the Zionist entity.

When Tel Aviv was established in 1909, the club changed its name to “Maccabi Tel Aviv”. In 1922, it became the first Jewish football club to participate in local competitions, which were originally organized by Muslim Arabs. The team adopted the Star of David as its emblem without facing opposition from the Arab organizers of the tournaments at that time.

The name “Maccabi” is derived from the Maccabees, the ancient Jewish army. Israel has since utilized this term as a symbol of what it calls “the Jewish people’s struggle for over 2,000 years.”

Maccabi: A Global Zionist Sports Organization

Over the years, this idea solidified, leading to the establishment of the “Maccabi” movement as a global Jewish sports organization. It was officially declared during the 12th Zionist Congress in 1921, with most Jewish sports associations and institutions in Palestine and across the world becoming part of its membership. However, even before the organization’s official inception, “Maccabi Tel Aviv” had already emerged as its first product.

Currently, five teams in the Israeli Premier League bear the name “Maccabi,” reflecting their affiliation with the organization. These clubs are:

• • Maccabi Tel Aviv

• • Maccabi Petah Tikva

• • Maccabi Ra’anana

• • Maccabi Haifa

• • Maccabi Netanya

The use of the name “Maccabi” in Israeli sports clubs is not merely a branding choice but rather a deeply embedded reflection of Zionist historical narratives. The movement aims to perpetuate the ideological and political framework of Zionism under the guise of sports, making it an extension of Israel’s broader colonial ambitions.