Lajee Celtic, a grassroots sports club based in a Palestinian refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, celebrated its tenth anniversary in London with nearly 200 attendees at Edami, a Lebanese bakery. The club has evolved from a football project into an international symbol of solidarity. The event featured Palestinian flags and Lajee Celtic shirts, worn by notable figures such as footballer Eric Cantona and actress Hannah Einbinder. Martin, a Lajee Celtic organizer from Glasgow, described his visit to Aida Camp over a decade ago as life-changing and emphasized the unique identity of Celtic Football Club, which has fostered connections with the Palestinian community.
The relationship between Aida Camp and Celtic supporters has developed over the years, beginning with visits from friends in Scotland and Ireland. Mohammed al-Azzeh, director of the Lajee Centre, recounted how discussions about creating a football academy began during his visit to Glasgow in 2012. By 2015, a group of footballers from the camp traveled to Belfast for a match, and in 2016, during a Champions League match between Celtic and Israeli team Hapoel Be’er Sheva, supporters displayed Palestinian flags, leading to the launch of the Match The Fine For Palestine campaign to support Palestinian organizations.
Lajee Celtic has united young Palestinians from various communities, emphasizing the importance of meeting and playing together. The club is now competing in organized football for the first time, having entered the Thousand Martyrs Cup, named after athletes killed in Gaza. Bassil Mikdadi, founder of Football Palestine, noted that Lajee Celtic serves as a model for how fans of European clubs can support Palestinians. Martin highlighted that purchasing Lajee Celtic shirts contributes to funding youth development in Palestine, creating a sense of solidarity among wearers worldwide.
The club has expanded its activities beyond football to include boxing and table tennis, aiming to create opportunities for young Palestinians. Al-Azzeh shared a poignant memory of Samir al-Amir, a coordinator with Lajee Celtic who had spent 19 years in Israeli prisons, experiencing the sea for the first time during a trip to South Africa in 2025. This moment underscored the significance of Lajee Celtic in providing opportunities for Palestinians.
The club's efforts are seen as vital for the future of Palestinian football, with grassroots clubs serving as the foundation for the national team’s success. Al-Azzeh expressed that the tangible nature of a football club creates a meaningful journey for its members and supporters.