Israeli police raids target Beitar Jerusalem football hooligans

Police arrest 56 people associated with violent La Familia group
following undercover operation

Peter Beaumont in Jerusalem
Tuesday 26 July 2016 12.05 BST

Israeli police launched raids overnight aimed at breaking up the country’s most notorious group of football hooligans – members of the La Familia group who follow Beitar Jerusalem FC.

Hundreds of officers were involved in raids across the country targeting dozens of individuals associated with the group infamous for its violence, criminal connections, racist attacks and chants. The 56 arrested included minors and nine soldiers.

The raids follow the announcement earlier this month that a new police unit targeting violence in Israeli sport would begin operations in the coming weeks, focusing on violence at football matches.

The arrests came after a months-long infiltration of La Familia by police undercover officers that led to individuals being detained on suspicion of selling weapons and violence.

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