Israel Delays Demolition of Palestinian Children's Football Pitch Amid Global Outcry

Thu Jan 22 2026 00:58:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The planned demolition of a football pitch serving Palestinian children in Bethlehem has been postponed by Israeli authorities after a significant international petition gathered over 500,000 signatures.

The Israeli government has postponed the demolition of a football pitch at the Aida Youth Centre in Bethlehem, following an international campaign that garnered widespread support. Authorities cited security concerns over the pitch's proximity to the Israeli barrier, yet the community continues to advocate for its existence. The club, which serves over 200 young players, remains vigilant amid fears that the reprieve may only be temporary.

Israel has postponed the demolition of a Palestinian children's football club in the city of Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank.

It said the Aida Youth Centre's pitch was constructed without the necessary permits. Israel claimed the demolition was necessary for security reasons. However, an international campaign, including a petition with more than half a million signatures, appears to have pressured the authorities to reconsider. The club has yet to receive official notification of the postponement.

The pitch is quite small, merely a fraction of the size of a full-scale football field, with patches of rust on its goalposts. Located next to the separation barrier, the football pitch has unexpectedly become the center of a fierce international campaign. The Israeli military previously argued that the field is too close to the barrier, but political decisions seem to have resulted in the current delay of the demolition order.

Construction on the pitch began in 2020 with the intention of providing a space for practice for over 200 young players from the nearby Aida refugee camp, which is home to descendants of Palestinian families displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

When children approached the pitch for practice last November, they were met with a notice declaring it illegal, followed shortly by a demolition order. Players like ten-year-old Naya expressed their distress, stating, 'We're building our dreams here. If they demolish our field, they will demolish our dreams.'

The community responded vigorously with social media campaigns, petitions, and support from global sports authorities. While the immediate threat has been lifted, there is apprehension within the club about potential future actions from the Israeli military. Mohammad Abu Srour, a board member, indicated a commitment to continue campaigning for the club’s survival.

As the community celebrates this temporary reprieve, the situation underscores broader tensions regarding Palestinian territories and the implications of Israeli policies as settlements continue to expand in the West Bank.