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

The Jerusalem Municipality unveiled a unity mural at Teddy Stadium 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, by artist Tomer Peretz, depicts them together at the stadium, symbolizing hope and brotherhood.

The Jerusalem Municipality dedicated a new "unity" mural at Teddy Stadium on Monday, October 5, 2026, 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. 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. 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. Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh's mother, spoke at the dedication, saying: "In our beautiful, complex, diverse, beloved, frustrating, dynamic and holy city, we have two teams that can seem completely different. And then there were two boys, brought together in fire. 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." The municipality said the mural is intended to remain at the stadium as a permanent symbol of hope and brotherhood.