‘Israel’ cancels demolition of children’s football field in West Bank

• The ‘Israeli’ military reclassified the demolition of the Aida Refugee Camp's only football pitch as "non-urgent", following direct lobbying from FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin
• The suspension followed an international campaign involving over 500,000 petition signatures and diplomatic coordination between the Swiss government and ‘Israeli’ military leadership, though camp administrators remain cautious as the demolition order was "frozen" rather than officially and legally canceled.

The ‘Israeli’ military suspended the planned demolition of a football pitch in the Aida Refugee Camp near the West Bank’s Bethlehem, following intense international pressure from global football governing bodies.

The decision marks a rare instance where sports diplomacy has influenced ‘Israeli’ policies in the region.

The pitch, a vital community space for Palestinian youth, had been slated for removal due to its proximity to the separation barrier and alleged lack of building permits.

The football field was constructed in 2023 by the Aida Youth Center to provide recreational opportunities for the camp's approximately 5,000 residents, many of whom are children facing limited access to sports facilities.

On December 31, 2025, ‘Israeli’ authorities issued a demolition order, citing security concerns and unauthorized construction.

This prompted an urgent international campaign, including appeals from human rights organizations and the Palestinian Football Association.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin engaged directly with the ‘Israeli’ Football Association and its president Moshe Zuares.

Reports said that Swiss officials also participated in lobbying efforts, potentially linked to UEFA's tax-exempt status in Switzerland.

The Aida Youth Center emphasizes that the order remains active without official legal confirmation of cancellation.