Israeli authorities issued a demolition order for a Palestinian children's football pitch in the West Bank, citing a lack of necessary permits and security concerns. The facility, located near Bethlehem, serves over 200 young players. The demolition order has since been postponed "for the time being" following an international advocacy campaign.
Background and Construction
The artificial turf football pitch began construction in 2020 near the Aida refugee camp, adjacent to the separation barrier. It provides a sporting opportunity for more than 200 young Palestinian players from the camp. The Aida refugee camp is home to descendants of Palestinian families displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
The pitch is situated in an area designated by Israel as "Area C." Under the 1990s Oslo Accords, Area C, which comprises over 60% of the West Bank, remains under full Israeli civil and security control. The accords had intended for a gradual transfer of Area C to Palestinian self-rule, which has not occurred. Satellite imagery indicates the pitch was built between 2019 and 2020 without Israeli permission.
Demolition Order and Stated Reasons
On November 3, a notice declaring the field illegal was posted by Israeli authorities, followed by a demolition order issued at the end of December. Israel stated the pitch was constructed without the required permits and the Israeli military also raised security concerns, reiterating this position. The club was initially granted a seven-day reprieve, which has since expired.
Advocacy and Postponement
The demolition order prompted an international campaign, which included:
- A social media campaign.
- A petition that garnered hundreds of thousands of signatures, with one source reporting over half a million.
- Reported interventions from senior officials of global and regional football governing bodies.
Following these efforts, Israeli authorities made a political decision to postpone the demolition order "for the time being." As of the latest reports, the Aida Youth Centre has not yet received official notification regarding the postponement.