Jerusalem divided by World Cup final support

Jerusalem, a city claimed by both Israel and Palestine as its capital, remained divided even during the World Cup final. The western part overwhelmingly supported Argentina, while the eastern part backed Spain. This split mirrored the city's political landscape, with the 'green line' separating Israeli and Palestinian areas.

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Israelis love us. You see much more support for Argentina than for Spain. I don't see any Spanish jerseys.

For many residents, crossing this line is a significant barrier. Israeli Jews generally do not visit East Jerusalem, and Palestinians from the east only go west for shopping or work. On Sunday, the final pitted two nations with deep symbolic and political meaning for each side against each other, a division clearly visible in the bars across the 'green line'.

In West Jerusalem bars, a mix of Israelis and Argentinian residents and visitors cheered for Argentina. "Israelis love us. You see much more support for Argentina than for Spain. I don't see any Spanish jerseys," said Mia, a young Argentinian Jew visiting Israel. Sebastián Tchechenitzky, a tour guide living in Israel for 27 years, noted, "There are many admirers of Spanish football, but still, because of politics, today they are supporting Argentina more than Spain."

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There are many admirers of Spanish football, but still, because of politics, today they are supporting Argentina more than Spain.

Argentina and Israel share strong historical ties, with a large Argentinian-Jewish diaspora in Israel. Politically, relations between the governments of Benjamin Netanyahu and Javier Milei have reached unprecedented levels of cooperation. Netanyahu himself publicly supported Argentina, even kicking a ball and holding an Argentinian team jersey. "Israelis feel more drawn to the Argentinian team because they perceive the Spanish government as very anti-Israeli in its positions and policies, so the natural and strategic partner in this final is Argentina," explained Matías Sakal before the match.

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Israelis feel more drawn to the Argentinian team because they perceive the Spanish government as very anti-Israeli in its positions and policies, so the natural and strategic partner in this final is Argentina.