Welcome to Lajee Celtic
More than a club.
A movement born from resistance.
Lajee Celtic is a grassroots sports club based in Aida refugee camp, Bethlehem, occupied Palestine. It is a project built through international solidarity. Lajee Celtic develops young people through sport, culture & international connection.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Athletes
Football
With over 140 players across senior, youth and academy squads, football is at the heart of Lajee Celtic. Two of our players represent the Palestine National Team at U18 and U23 (Olympic Squad) level.
Boxing
In partnership with ACLAI Palestine, our boxing programme has produced two gold medallists at a recent national tournament. Three boxers participated at an event in Italy in 2026.
International Solidarity
Lajee Celtic connects Palestine to the world through sport. From the Red Card ‘Israel’ campaign across 200+ clubs in 30+ countries to over 4,000 merchandise items shipped to supporters in 63 countries.
About Lajee Celtic
from Aida camp
to the world
Lajee Celtic is a multi-sport club based in Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, occupied Palestine. The Club is open to all Palestinian youth and children and mainly serves those in and around Bethlehem, especially those within the three refugee camps in the city. It operates as a project of Lajee Center – a creative, cultural community centre established in 2000 by young people from the camp.
The Club’s formation is rooted in international solidarity. In 2016, Celtic FC fans unfurled hundreds of Palestine flags when their club faced the Zionists colonial club Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the UEFA Champions League. This set off a sequence of events which eventually led to the formation of Lajee Celtic.
The connection between Celtic and Palestine – and the international solidarity this is built on – is at the heart of our Club.
Our vision
To build an inclusive and connected community in Aida refugee camp and the wider Bethlehem area, where young people can thrive through sport, culture and collective action – representing Palestine with pride on local, national and international platforms.
Our Mission
Through multi-sport initiatives, we aim to develop skills, nurture talent and create spaces for connection, community cohesion and wellbeing. We amplify Palestinian voices and identity by building strong local and international partnerships, using sport as a platform for solidarity and collective action.
Our Programmes
Empowered by sport.
sustained by solidarity.
01
Senior Football
A competitive squad representing Aida camp and Palestine at the highest level. Two players have been selected for the Palestine National Team. Over the last three years, our team has defiantly kept playing – including a tour of South Africa in 2024. Many of our players and coaches face daily obstacles including checkpoints, restrictions on movement, threat of arrest and violence. Their commitment has never wavered.
02
Academy & Youth Football
A two-tier youth squad and a grassroots academy of over 100 children aged 8–13, developing the next generation of Lajee Celtic and Palestine footballers. The Club provides all technical support, training, coaching and facilities for players to develop their skills and grow within the sport at no cost. We bring together young people from all areas of Bethlehem in defiance of restrictions of movement and intimidation by the colonial occupation.
03
Boxing
In partnership with ACLAI Palestine, our boxing programme is led by local coaches and supported through collaboration with international boxers and coaches from Ireland and Italy. In 2025, two of our boxers – Karam Shamakh and Ra’bal Abu Akar – won gold medals at the national tournament organised by the Palestinian Boxing Federation in Ramallah.
04
Table Tennis
Currently located in Lajee Center’s Activities Hall, our table tennis programme serves children, youth and adults across three training groups. Table tennis was ranked as one of the top three sports in our 2025 community survey. The programme will move into Lajee Celtic’s new premises later this year.
Our Impact
From Aida Camp to
63 countries and counting.
What started as a solidarity project between Aida refugee camp and an international football community has grown into a global movement. These numbers tell part of the story.
Special thanks to the sponsors who power our journey
Youth
Development
Sport offers young people in Aida camp structure, purpose and ambition. The Club provides technical support, training, coaching and facilities for players to grow individually and as part of a team. Everything we provide is completely free - thanks to your support.
Community
Resilience
Living under colonial military occupation, sport can provide space for recreation, belonging and the means to improve health and wellbeing. Lajee Celtic enables young people from different areas to meet and socialise together despite the challenges of separation and isolation imposed by the occupation.
International
Connection
Through tours, campaigns and solidarity networks, our athletes and supporters build meaningful international partnerships from Glasgow to São Paulo to Johannesburg. A key focus of the Club is to grow the global community of international solidarity in football and facilitate two-way exchanges.
Representation
The names of Palestinian refugee camps within Palestine and the diaspora are stitched onto the crests of our kit, carrying Palestine into every match and competition. Football offers a platform for us to represent Palestine in all that we do, whether through tours or sports. We represent our people and country with pride and sumud.
Accessibility
The Club is open to all Palestinian youth and children. Our participants mostly come from Bethlehem and the surrounding areas and especially from the three refugee camps in the city. All of our programmes are free to ensure equal access.
Transparency
Lajee Celtic is governed by an elected Board of Directors introduced in 2024. The Club operates as a project of Lajee Center which offers a further level of governance. We are supported by a volunteer network based in Glasgow.
Our People
Led by the community.
Supported by the world.
Lajee Celtic is led and run by members of Aida refugee camp’s community, supported by an elected board of directors and an international network of volunteers and partners.
Samir Al Ameer
Club Coordinator
Rami Msalmeh
Senior Football Head Coach
Nahar Shamrokh
Youth Football Head Coach
Ali Iwawi
Boxing Head Coach
Juma Awes
Board Member
Jamal Hammad
Board Member
Be part of something bigger than sport.
Support Lajee Celtic and help young people in Aida refugee camp access football, boxing, table tennis and other opportunities.
News & Updates
Updates from Aida Camp and beyond.
Match reports, project updates, tour stories and solidarity news. Stay connected with everything happening at Lajee Celtic.
Stop The Game
Lajee Celtic calls on the General Assembly of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI)…
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lajee Celtic, how we operate and how you can get involved.
A: Lajee Celtic is a multi-sports club based in Aida refugee camp, Bethlehem, occupied Palestine. It operates as a project of Lajee Center and includes football, boxing, table tennis and international solidarity networking. The club is open to all Palestinian youth and children.
All of our sports pogrammes are provided free to our participants. This is thanks to the fantastic support we receive from our international supporters, partners and sponsors. Most of this is funded through merchandise sales, donations and other fundraising. As our Club grows, we add more sports and we include more young people, we will explore more ways to protect and sustain our Club.
You can donate, fundraise, buy merchandise, subscribe to our updates, follow us on social media and simply spread the word. Every contribution helps sustain our programmes and fund future projects including new premises and a multi-sports pitch. We will soon launch a membership scheme to help make the Club financially sustainable and bring you closer to the action.
Lajee Center is a creative, cultural community centre in Aida refugee camp. Established in 2000 by a group of young people from the camp, it is the host organisation of Lajee Celtic - providing resources, facilities and all round support. 'Lajee' means 'refugee' in Arabic. Lajee Celtic is a product of the relationship between Lajee Center and Green Brigade (Celtic FC ultras).
No. We have a long, strong and proud relationship with Celtic FC supporters and specifically the Green Brigade ultras. We have no relationship with the administration and management of Celtic FC who have sadly been hostile towards Palestine solidarity at Celtic.
Yes. Lajee Center regularly welcomes visitors and delegations to Aida camp. Often these are through scheduled visits and programmes, sometimes visitors simply show up for a look around. For further information please visit Lajee Center's website or contact them directly.
Join our community for regular news (below), follow us on social media, or check the News section of this website for the latest updates and news on our sports programmes, campaigns, merchandise and more.