Jerusalem Police and At-Risk Haredi Youth Build Trust Through Football Match

In Jerusalem, a unique football match took place between local police officers and Haredi youth, some of whom have previously encountered legal troubles. Unlike past confrontations involving arrests or investigations, this game aimed to rebuild trust and foster positive relations between the two groups. The event was part of the Noacham program, a joint initiative by Jerusalem's welfare and sports departments and the city’s Lev HaBira police station, designed to support at-risk Haredi youth through personal guidance, social worker involvement, and shared activities like football.

The program targets young people outside formal education frameworks, helping them feel a sense of belonging and providing meaningful engagement. Aaron, an 18-year-old participant from the Third Wall neighborhood, shared how the program helped him move away from conflict and hostility, especially against Arabs, which he described as a constant in his youth. He noted that from a young age, he was taught to distrust the police, but through these encounters, he now sees officers as human beings. Aaron plans to enlist in the "Netzah Yehuda" battalion and hopes to become a police officer in the future.

Another participant, 16-year-old Avishai, who had been out of school for nearly a year and had his first police encounter at 15, credited football with teaching him patience and helping him manage his anger. Police commander Akiva Blum emphasized the goal of the game was to create connections, showing youth that officers can be approachable and supportive. The match ended with mixed results on the scoreboard, but for all involved, the real victory was the mutual understanding and camaraderie developed on the field.

This initiative reflects a broader effort to engage marginalized youth in Jerusalem’s Haredi neighborhoods, offering alternatives to conflict and fostering community ties through sports and dialogue.