Two brothers, two national teams. One played for Palestine, and the other is preparing to make his debut for Israel.
It might sound impossible, but it’s true. This is the story of the Jaber family from the Arab town of Taybeh in Israel.
Abdallah (left) and Mahmoud Jaber. One played for Palestine and the other is preparing for his Israel debut. (Photos: Palestine FA and Maccabi Haifa)
Brothers, but playing for different flags
How often do brothers represent different national teams? Well, it has happened a few times in the past.
Kevin-Prince Boateng and Jerome Boateng played for Ghana and Germany, respectively, and have even played against each other on the world’s biggest stage - at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Granit Xhaka plays for Switzerland, while Taulant Xhaka played for Albania, and, even more prominently, Thiago Alcantara and Rafinha wore the uniforms of Spain and Brazil at the same time. More exciting examples include Christian and Maxi Vieri, who appeared for Italy and Australia, and the Pogba brothers who, except for Paul who represents France, can be seen in the Syli Nationale colours of Guinea.
But the story of Abdallah and Mahmoud Jaber is different.
The Jaber family is a family of football - the brother’s father, Nabil, played for his local side, Hapoel Taybeh, back in the day.
Abdallah Jaber: From Israel to Palestine and back
Abdallah, the older brother, grew up in the Israeli football system, playing for the youth teams of Hapoel Kfar Saba and later made a few appearances for Ramat Hasharon, before crossing the fence to the West Bank, and the Palestinian league.
Here he started at Hilal Al Quds, but rose to new heights in Hebron, where he shone for Ahli Al Khaleel, and simultaneously became one of the leading figures of the Fidai - the Palestinian national team.
As a pacy, two-footed, left-back, Abdallah made 56 caps for Palestine, playing in World Cup qualifiers and two Asian Cups (2015 and 2019). At his peak, he returned to Hilal Al Quds and played against some top teams from the region - Raja Casablanca and Al Wehdat for example - in the Arab Club Championship and the AFC Cup. He was given the nickname ‘Qitar Filastin’, or ‘Locomotive Palestine’ in English. He was a star and set an example to thousands of Palestinian kids in the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel.
When Hilal suffered financial and managerial problems, Abdallah received an offer from an unexpected source, and a move back to Israel, with Hapoel Hadera. Despite all the criticism, Jaber took the offer and never looked back.
Last season, at 29 years old, he finished his second year in Israel as an integral part of Bnei Sakhnin’s team, helping them win a historic ticket to the Europa Conference League.
But, right now, his younger brother is the one who’s making the bigger waves.
Abdallah Jaber burning the wing for Bnei Sakhnin in the Israeli Premier League. (Photo: Shaul Greenfeld)
Mahmoud Jaber: the rising star of Israeli football
The 2021/22 season was a breakout year for Mahmoud Jaber.
The 23-year-old, who plays for Israeli giants Maccabi Haifa, notched up six assists and three goals in 31 games, and played a vital role in the Green’s successful campaign - winning the Super Cup, the Toto Cup (League Cup), and a second consecutive championship title, securing Europa Conference League group stage participation in the process.
His contributions saw him become valued by his coach, Barak Bachar - who himself was ranked by FourFourTwo as being among the most promising coaches in European football in 2018. Young Jaber wasn’t a regular starter, but took every opportunity with all his heart and raw talent - he has terrific vision, and knows exactly what to do in each moment.
For years, the destination Mahmoud chose to direct his career has been a hot topic - his older brother was a Palestinian hero after all - but, since the start, he was tipped as a promising talent in Israeli club football.
Will he wait to go to Europe and represent Palestine like his brother, or will he become the first representative of the Jaber family to wear the blue of Israel?
That question mark seems to have been left behind, with Mahmoud being called up to the Israel side to face Iceland and Albania in the UEFA Nations League.
Jaber still needs to play for Israel to seal his international destiny, but most importantly, he must continue developing and trying to find his feet in European football. His talent and work rate are not common in Israel, and the higher the level he tests himself at, the better player he will eventually become.
Mahmoud Jaber in his first training with the Israeli national team. (Photo: Israeli Football Association)
Quite a few brothers have represented different nations throughout football’s history, but still, only the Jabbers represent countries which are more than just bitter sporting rivals, but live in live conflict. When Mahmoud steps up for Israel, it will be a symbolic moment. A moment that will become an example of how diverse, complex and deep the conflict between Israel and Palestine is that, in the same house, in the same family, two brothers represent two teams, two national identities, and two different stories.
Edited by Alex Smith
