Meet the non-Jewish players on Israel's national football team

As Israel prepares for its UEFA Nations League match against France tonight at the Stade de France, many non-Jewish players are expected to be on the pitch. Among them are Mohammad Abu Fani, Mamoud Jaber, Ramzi Safouri, Anan Khalaily and Shareef Keouf – each with their own story of breaking barriers and rising to prominence within Israeli football.

One of the standout non-Jewish figures in the Israeli squad is Abu Fani, a 26-year-old midfielder from Kafr Qara, a predominantly Arab village in Israel.

Born into a Muslim-Arab family, Abu Fani has long been a respected figure in Israeli football. Starting his career at Maccabi Haifa, one of Israel's leading clubs, he quickly made a name for himself when he made a move to Hungarian side Ferencvárosi TC in 2023.

He comes from a footballing family — his father, Sami Abu Fani, was also a local footballer who supported Mohammad’s career from an early age. Abu Fani’s contributions to the national team have earned him respect from both Jewish and Arab fans, highlighting his importance to Israeli football.

Mamoud Jaber, 25, is from Tayibe, a predominantly Arab town in Israel. Jaber, who plays for Maccabi Haifa, is another Muslim player on the Israeli team. Born into an Arab-Muslim family of Palestinian descent, Jaber has earned three caps.

Jaber's international career has been on the rise since he joined Antalyaspor in Turkey in 2023, after impressing in the Israeli Premier League. With his technical ability in midfield, Jaber has become a crucial asset for Israel, making his debut in 2022.

Another important figure in the squad is Ramzi Safouri, 29, who was born in Jaffa to a Muslim-Arab family. Safouri made his debut in 2022. He plays for Turkish side Antalyaspor and although his international appearances have been limited, he is a reliable presence in the Israeli midfield when called upon.

Anan Khalaily was born in Haifa to an Arab-Israeli family originally from the Arab village of Sakhnin. Khalaily, 20, plays for Belgian Pro League club Union SG.

Shareef Keouf, 23, is a promising Druze goalkeeper from Isfiya, a Druze village on the slopes of Mount Carmel. Although Keouf has yet to make his debut for the national team, his potential is widely regarded. He plays as the backup goalkeeper for Maccabi Haifa, where he is being groomed as one of Israel’s future stars.

Keouf is one of the few Druze players in Israeli football and his presence in the national team reflects the inclusion of Israel’s Druze community, which plays an important role in the country’s identity.

The former captain of the Israeli national team, Bibras Natcho, is also Muslim. 

Last week, antisemitic violence in Amsterdam involving pro-Palestinian protesters targeting Jewish fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv highlighted the rising hostility toward Israelis, particularly Jews, in European cities.

In Paris, several hundred protesters gathered ahead of the match, denouncing the presence of the Israeli team. Protests were initially sparked by a gala supporting Israel’s military, but the unrest also reflected the broader political climate, where Israel’s actions in the Middle East have led to widespread criticism and condemnation.

Despite the focus on the Jewish players of Israel’s national squad, the composition of the team itself underscores the complexity of these tensions. The inclusion of Muslim, Druze, and Arab players challenges the oversimplified narrative that all Israelis are Jewish.