Israel is threatening to demolish a popular West Bank youth football pitch

Israel is threatening to demolish a refugee camp’s popular youth football ground built on land owned by the Armenian church on the outskirts of Bethlehem in the shadow of the West Bank separation wall.

The artificial grass pitch, which was installed in 2021, is regularly played on by youngsters from Aida refugee camp, including girls who have represented the Palestine women’s national teams at youth level.

Early one morning two weeks ago, Israeli soldiers pinned a notice to the gates of the football ground ordering a halt to all activities at the site and warning that it could be demolished because it had been built without the correct permits. A nearby theatre and a garden in the area were served with similar notices.

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