Pitch Construction and Community Role Built in 2020 on Bethlehem’s northern edge, the Aida Youth Centre field occupies a tenth‑size of a standard pitch and provides a training space for more than 200 children from the Aida refugee camp, offering rare recreational opportunities in a densely populated, contested zone [1][2].

Legal Notices and Demolition Timeline A notice labeling the site illegal was pinned to the gate on 3 November, followed by a demolition order at the end of December; a seven‑day reprieve was granted after legal representation, but the extension expired on 19 January, leaving the club to face either self‑demolition or forced removal [2].

Israeli Security Rationale and Permit Dispute Israeli military officials argue the pitch was erected without required permits and lies too close to the West Bank barrier, citing security concerns; the land is classified as Area C, over which Israel claims full civil control, contrasting with Bethlehem’s Area A status [1][2].

International Campaign and Political Context A petition amassed over half a million signatures, drawing involvement from global and regional football governing bodies, and prompted senior officials to intervene, leading to a “for the time being” postponement that remains unofficial to the club [1]. The dispute unfolds against Netanyahu’s settlement push and annexation rhetoric, heightening its symbolic significance [2].