Breaking Update
Police Foil Smuggling of 152 Flares Ahead of Tel Aviv Soccer Derby
Israeli police intercepted 152 flares smuggled from Milan ahead of the Tel Aviv soccer derby, arresting a suspect at Ben Gurion Airport to prevent stadium.
Jerusalem, 14 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Ahead of tonight’s Tel Aviv Derby, authorities intercepted an attempt to smuggle 152 flares, the Israeli Police said on Wednesday. Undercover detectives at Ben Gurion Airport arrested a man in his 20s arriving on a flight from Milan after flares were found in his suitcase.
“The Israel Police will continue to act against violence and the use of illegal items at sports events, ensuring that the public can safely enjoy football across Israel,” the police said.
The Derby — a match between rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv — will take place at Bloomfield Stadium.
