Horse race returns to West Bank village after two-year suspension

Hoofbeats and clouds of dust returned to the hills west of the city of Hebron as Palestinians raced Arabian horses through the village of Al-Majd, with residents cheering them on.

The annual race in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a Palestinian territory, had been suspended for the past two years in the wake of the Gaza war, which began in October 2023, but the tradition returned this week, despite ongoing tension.

"Our ambitions are constrained by a lack of financial and logistical resources needed to support the riders, so we simply try to provide whatever we can," said event coordinator Ismael Abu Awad.

After the starting gun was fired, the riders set off along the winding dirt track cutting through the rocky landscape, while spectators cheered along the course and on rooftops.

The competition culminated in jubilant celebrations, with supporters surrounding the winning jockey and lifting trophies above the crowd.

A young Palestinian boy holds up a trophy as he sits on his family's winning horse during a local horse race in al-Majd, west of the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Hebron on Sept. 18, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Horse culture endures despite shrinking space

Arabian horses occupy a special place in Palestinian culture, and horse races and equestrian beauty championships are held across the West Bank, drawing competitors from different towns and villages.

Open land has become increasingly scarce amid expanding Israeli settlement construction (communities built for Israeli civilians in the territory) in the West Bank, occupied since 1967.

But horse culture still draws Palestinians together, from urban neighborhoods to rural villages.

For the local community, Friday's race was more than just about sports. It was aimed at "preserving a form of Arab heritage that our ancestors cherished and that we continue to uphold today," Abu Awad stated.

Horses leave the starting gate during a local horse race in al-Majd, west of the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Hebron on September 18, 2026. As open land becomes increasingly scarce amid expanding Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, horse culture has emerged as one of the rare forms of recreation that still draws Palestinians together, from urban neighborhoods to rural villages. (Photo by JOHN WESSELS / AFP)

The event also provided an opportunity for local jockeys who cannot easily participate in international races to showcase their skills, the organizer said. "Some horses and riders face difficulties travelling to Jordan or abroad," he said.

Despite the challenges, participants spoke of dreams that stretch beyond the local track. "My ambition is to travel to Italy to ride horses," said racer Mohammed Al-Ajlouni. "We ride here now, but for the future, that is what I hope for."

September 20, 2026 11:13 AM GMT+03:00