Jerusalem unveils unity mural honoring Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Ori Danino at Teddy Stadium

The Jerusalem Municipality dedicated a new “unity” mural at Teddy Stadium on Monday honoring Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Ori Danino, two Jerusalem residents and supporters of rival football clubs who became close friends during 328 days in Hamas captivity.

The mural, created by Jerusalem-born artist Tomer Peretz, depicts Goldberg-Polin and Danino together at a packed Teddy Stadium, a place both had known since childhood. Danino was a devoted Beitar Jerusalem supporter, while Goldberg-Polin supported Hapoel Jerusalem.

Their backgrounds also reflected different parts of the city. Danino grew up in a Haredi family in Jerusalem’s Ramot neighborhood, while Goldberg-Polin was raised in an Anglo religious family in Talpiot.

Rival football fans became close friends in Hamas captivity

Both were abducted separately during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack and were ultimately held together in Gaza. According to testimony from hostages who later returned, the two developed an exceptionally close relationship during their 328 days in captivity, caring for and sustaining one another under extreme conditions.

In the days following the attack, when Goldberg-Polin was severely wounded after his left arm was blown off, Danino reportedly argued with their captors and pushed them to provide him with medical treatment, which helped save his life at the time.

Their friendship has since become a symbol of unity in Jerusalem, particularly given their loyalty to rival football clubs whose fan bases can represent very different parts of the city.

The municipality said the mural seeks to reflect the idea that people with different backgrounds, identities and worldviews can still stand together.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin honors the bond between the two

“In our beautiful, complex, diverse, beloved, frustrating, dynamic and holy city, we have two teams that can seem completely different,” Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh’s mother, said at the dedication.

“And then there were two boys, brought together in fire,” she said. “They became symbols of love for the fans of each team, and they ended up bound together – protecting, defending, advocating and breathing for each other.”

“At the end of the day, all there is, is love. Two hearts. One city. Jerusalem. Together.”

Teddy Stadium mural offers a permanent tribute

The artwork imagines an ending they were denied: Goldberg-Polin and Danino alive and laughing together in Teddy Stadium, surrounded by the teams, supporters and city they loved.

The municipality said the mural is intended to remain at the stadium as a permanent symbol of hope and brotherhood, and as a reminder that Jerusalemites with different opinions, identities and loyalties can still find common ground.

For Danino and Goldberg-Polin, even football rivalry became part of that story: “Only Beitar” and “Only Hapoel,” the municipality said, ultimately gave way to something they shared.