On January 1, 2026, Israel published an order to demolish the Aida Refugee Camp’s football pitch. Aida was established in 1950 and is only 0.071 square kilometres. “It is partially surrounded by the West Bank Barrier and is near to Har Homa and Gilo, two large Israeli settlements that are illegal under international law. The camp’s proximity to the main checkpoint between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, coupled with constant military presence, further exacerbates the camp’s vulnerability…” Since the new year, the Israeli military has already raided Aida camp, detaining more than 25 Palestinians. This is everyday life in Aida.
We learned about the order to demolish the camp’s football field through Munther Amira from Aida Camp:
“At the onset of 2026, as grief settles and the days weigh heavily on our people, Maryam continues to overcome pain despite her young age. And still, Maryam and I hold on to our faith that the world will one day be fair to us, and that our people, despite everything, will be well.
This is how we welcomed the new year:
While children around the world celebrate with joy, the children of the Aida Refugee Camp were meted sorrow by an order to demolish our football pitch. Where laughter, joy, and play once reigned supreme, our field is faced with destruction by an unjust decision, stripping hundreds of children of their simple right to play, to practice and to learn.
The demolition does not happen in a void. It does not target a specific football field. It is hope in life itself that the occupation means to uproot from our hearts, in order to impose forced displacement – once again. But Palestine remains standing with its head held tall, teaching its children how hope isn’t crush by the rubble, but is born from it.”
Despite repeated calls for action, Canada Soccer remains silent and complicit. Canada Soccer can take decisive action — we witnessed it in response to Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine. Yet, when Israel is the perpetrator, Canada Soccer does nothing. Meanwhile, Israel:
- Destroys Palestinians football pitches
- Kills Palestinian football players
…and the Israel Football Association (IFA), which collaborates with the Israeli government, in violation of FIFA and UEFA statutes:
- Organizes FIFA-sanctioned games in illegal settlements
- Promotes and supports the Israeli military
- Allows players who express violent hate speech and incitement to commit genocide
- Includes football clubs that not only show belligerent and consistent racism, but also support the Israeli military and their genocidal assault
Canada Soccer is not only accountable to their own legal regulations, but to international law.
Therefore, we demand that Canada Soccer end its silence and take meaningfully action including:
- Publicly demands and invests efforts to ensure that FIFA suspend the IFA, Israeli clubs, and those players that engaged in hate speech and/or are soldiers and reservists in the Israeli military.
- Refuses to host the 2026 World Cup in good faith while the IFA remains a Member of FIFA.
- Refuses to play any matches against the Israeli national team.
- Ends any and all financial support for the IFA. Further, if Canada Soccer has financially supported the IFA in any way (e.g., sponsorships), Canada Soccer must make reparations to the Palestinian communities affected by this sponsorship.
Further, in alignment with the calls from Aida, we demand that Canada Soccer call on FIFA and the UEFA to “urgently intervene to stop the demolition of Aida refugee camp’s football pitch and protect Palestinian children’s right to play.”
This action is also endorsed by:
- Community Responder Network
- Palestine Solidarity Roda
- Red Card Sheffield
- The Northern Lights Supporters’ Group
- Sport Scholars for Justice in Palestine
- Ontario Palestinian Rights Association
- The Lawn Boss LLC
- Canadian Federation of Students – Newfoundland and Labrador (CFS-NL)
- Canadian BDS Coalition & International BDS Allies
- Good Shepherd Collective
