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Only West Bank Animal Shelter Faces Shut Down

763 views · Published 31 December 2018 · 2:45 · Indexed 27 September 2026

Channel: i24NEWS English · 2018 · Pets & Animals

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NEWS DESK | Animals rights is an issue that can transcend political countries and divides. In the West Bank, there is an animal shelter that's one of its kind — and is facing a shut down. Our Emily Rose has the story. 

Story:

Diana George Babish founded Bethlehem Animal Shelter to fill a void in her community in The West Bank.  

According to Babish, the increasing amount of stray animals was important to address. 'The only way is to have a place to keep the dogs that need help,' she said.

When the shelter was founded four years ago, Diana faced backlash as the shelter is the first of its kind. 'The idea is new and it’s not perfectly accepted because a lot of people say it’s better to give help to humans rather than animals, but we told them that our mission is to help the animals, humans and the environment,' she explained.

'Throughout the years I've rescued a lot of dogs that were shot, that were hit by cars, and also poisoned. We try to save as many as we can,' Babish said.

But the local municipality has now told Diana that it must close its doors, giving her only days to clear the premises. 'We have received a letter from the ministry of health in Bethlehem they said that we are polluting the area... and people are complaining about the barking.'

Activists have started a petition to help save the shelter but the municipality has said it won’t budge. i24NEWS contacted the local municipality for a comment and they have yet to respond.

Babish addressed the statements in the letter: 'As far as our sewage — that’s all connected to the main sewage underground. We are far from the water, and therefore not polluting the water.'

Over the green line, Claire Polansky fosters dogs from the shelter while trying to find them permanent homes. But homes are still needed for approximately 70 dogs and 30 cats as the shelter is slated to be shut down. 

Despite impending closure, Diana hopes these animals will be rescued. 'It will be difficult. They will be loose outside, but where shall I take them? I don’t have an alternative place. We are looking, but it’s not easy.'

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