Ep 17. Forever Pure

Forever Pure is the 17th episode of the 18th season of Independent Lens, a documentary television series that showcases independent films. This episode tells the story of Beitar Jerusalem, one of the most popular and controversial football clubs in Israel.

Beitar Jerusalem is known for its loyal and passionate fan base, which consists mainly of right-wing Israeli nationalists. The team has always been fiercely proud of its Jewish identity, and its fans regularly chant slogans of support for the state of Israel during games.

In 2012, the club's owner, Russian-Israeli oligarch Arcadi Gaydamak, decided to sign two Muslim Chechen players, Dzhabrail Kadiyev and Zaur Sadayev. This decision ignited a firestorm of controversy among the team's fans, many of whom saw it as a betrayal of the club's Jewish identity.

The response of Beitar Jerusalem's fans to the signing of Kadiyev and Sadayev was shocking. During a home game, Beitar fans unfurled a banner that read "Beitar will forever remain pure" and chanted "Death to Arabs" and other racist slogans. The situation became so toxic that the Israeli government had to step in to protect the two players and their families.

Forever Pure takes viewers behind the scenes of this tumultuous period in Beitar Jerusalem's history. The film follows the team's new coach, Guy Levy, as he tries to steer the club through the controversy and lead them to victory on the field. Levy is a secular Israeli who believes in building a diverse and inclusive team, but he quickly finds himself at odds with the club's fans. He receives death threats and is forced to constantly look over his shoulder.

The film also introduces viewers to some of Beitar Jerusalem's most passionate fans. We meet Shlomi, a right-wing activist who proudly displays his collection of Beitar memorabilia and argues that the club must remain "pure." We also meet Itzik, a Beitar fan who believes that the signing of Kadiyev and Sadayev was a mistake but still thinks that the team should move on and focus on winning.

Through interviews with players, coaches, fans, and journalists, Forever Pure paints a vivid and disturbing portrait of the intersection between sports, nationalism, and bigotry in Israel. The film shows how the signing of two Muslim players shattered the fragile illusion of unity in Israeli football and exposed the deep-seated prejudices that still exist in Israeli society.

Despite its dark subject matter, Forever Pure is also a hopeful and inspiring film. We see how Levy and his team of players from diverse backgrounds come together to try to bridge the gap between the club's fans and the rest of Israeli society. We also see how Kadiyev and Sadayev, two young men who never expected to find themselves in the middle of this controversy, rise above the hate and continue to play the sport they love.

Overall, Forever Pure is a powerful and thought-provoking film that raises important questions about race, nationalism, and sportsmanship in Israel and beyond.