Palestinian horse centre vows to rebuild after West Bank demolition

Khaled Ifranji is a dedicated horse lover who has spent the last seven years building the Palestine Equestrian Club in the West Bank. This club was not just a place for horses; it was a sanctuary for children, especially those with learning disabilities. Khaled believed that being around horses could help these children cope with their emotions and find joy in their lives. However, one fateful morning in late January, Khaled received a phone call that he had always dreaded. He was on his way to work, having just passed through an Israeli military checkpoint from his home in occupied East Jerusalem, when one of his employees informed him that the Israeli army was demolishing the stables. Rushing to the scene, Khaled was filled with anxiety for the horses that were still inside. Upon his arrival, he was met with a devastating sight: four bulldozers were tearing down the structures he had worked so hard to create. Khaled's immediate concern was for the safety of the horses. He shared a video with the BBC that showed a bulldozer striking a building while horses were still inside. When the horses were finally released, they ran in fear across the hillside, and tragically, one was struck by a car. Khaled confronted the soldiers, asking them why they were destroying his club, but they ignored him. He expressed his frustration, stating, 'I take away their anger… There’s no guns here. Just sport. ' The Israeli army later confirmed the demolition but disputed Khaled's claims about the horses being inside at the time, despite the video evidence. They argued that the structures were built illegally, but many Palestinians, including Khaled, argue that obtaining permits in this area is nearly impossible. The equestrian club was located in Area C of the West Bank, which is under full Israeli control. This area comprises about 60% of the West Bank and has been a point of contention for many years. The Oslo peace accords, signed in the 1990s, divided the West Bank into three areas, but nearly 30 years later, the situation remains complicated, with Israeli settlements expanding and the military maintaining a presence throughout the territory. Khaled had created a thriving equestrian center with individual stables for the 30 horses, a watering system, two riding arenas, a café, and even solar panels to power the facility. He was proud of what he had built, and it was beginning to turn a profit. One of his young riders, Shams, had been training with Khaled for nine months and felt a deep connection with her horse, Calypso. She described the club as her home, saying, 'When I’m riding Calypso, I feel freedom. The second I ride on him, every single stress I have is gone. ' When Shams learned about the demolition, she was terrified for Calypso, expressing, 'I was scared… We have such a strong connection. He’s my whole world. ' After the destruction, Khaled's friends organized a birthday party for him amidst the wreckage, and it was during this gathering that they decided to rebuild. They quickly set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for new, temporary structures. Khaled felt a renewed sense of hope as his friends expressed their determination to create an even better club. They said, 'They demolished this place so we can build a new club even more beautiful than before. ' Khaled is committed to continuing his work with children from low-income families and those with learning difficulties, and he is determined to make the new club a reality, even if it means using makeshift structures. Reem, who runs the café at the club, had to come up with a creative solution after the café was destroyed. She decided to create a mobile café that could move from place to place, minimizing losses in case of future demolitions. With Calypso now safely back in the stables, Shams remains undeterred by the challenges they face. She has big dreams of competing in the Olympics for Palestine. Khaled continues to coach Palestinian children and is resolute in his commitment to the land. He stated, 'There is nothing left for me to lose. If they destroy it today, I will build again tomorrow. If they destroy it tomorrow, I will build again the next day. This is my life. I have to continue. ' Khaled and his friends are determined to rebuild the equestrian club and create a brighter future for the children and horses in their community.