Aida Children’s Soccer Field threatens Israel?

UPDATE. 

1/20/26 New York Times headline:

Pressured by FIFA and UEFA, IDF Cancels Demolition of a West Bank Soccer Field   The soccer federations – amid a threat to UEFA's tax-exempt status in Switzerland, over the group's cooperation with Israel – pushed to halt the demolition of a soccer field in the Aida refugee camp. The IDF had called the site's proximity to the West Bank separation barrier a security threat

Israeli authorities issued a demolition order for the only football pitch in the

Aida refugee camp, located near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, with the latest deadline set for January 19, 2026. The pitch, a critical recreational space for the camp's 5,000 to 7,000 residents, is deemed a "security threat" by Israel because of its proximity to the separation wall.

 ·  Demolition Order: The order was issued on December 31, 2025, by Israeli forces to the Aida Youth Centre, giving them seven days to demolish the site themselves or face forced destruction and potential billing for the costs.

·  "Security Threat" Claim: The pitch is located in the Khallat Hamama area near the Israeli separation wall. The Israeli military claims it was built without proper permits.

·  Significance of the Pitch: Installed in 2021 on land leased from the Armenian Church, this pitch is the only open space for children in the densely populated, 0.071-square-kilometer camp. It serves over 500 children and, according to local residents and coaches, is vital for their psychological and physical welfare.

·  Impact on Youth: The field hosts both boys' and girls' teams, including players who have represented the Palestinian women's national team.

·  International Response: The Aida Youth Centre has appealed to FIFA for intervention. The situation has drawn condemnation, with activists calling for action from FIFA and UEFA, noting a disparity in response compared to other global events.