Discover the Rich Heritage of Palestinian Handmade Goods

Palestinian handmade goods carry centuries of tradition, artistry, and resilience. These crafts don’t just reflect the diverse cultural history of Palestine—they actively sustain local communities under military occupation. From olive wood carvings to hand-embroidered garments, every item tells a story—of heritage, resistance, and hope.

Whether you're shopping for a meaningful gift or ethically sourced everyday goods, supporting Palestinian artisans helps preserve endangered traditions and provides real economic support to people living under occupation.

What Are Palestine’s Traditional Industries?

1. Tatreez (Palestinian Embroidery)

• What it is: Tatreez is the centuries-old art of Palestinian hand embroidery, traditionally done by women using cross-stitch. Each village has distinct patterns and colors, making every piece a reflection of place and identity.
• Products: Thobes (dresses), bags, wall hangings, accessories
• Cultural Significance: Listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021
• Why it matters: Buying tatreez supports women’s cooperatives in the West Bank and Gaza, keeping this heritage alive under occupation.

Shop our Tatreez Collection here.

2. Olive Wood Carvings

• What it is: Carved from olive trees native to Palestine—especially around Bethlehem—these works of art reflect Christian and cultural traditions.
• Products: Nativity scenes, crosses, kitchen utensils, rosaries
• Sustainability: Artisans only use pruned or fallen branches—never the entire tree.

Shop more Olive Wood Crafts here. 

3. Nabulsi Olive Oil Soap

• What it is: Cold-pressed olive oil soap from Nablus, made using a time-honored recipe passed down for generations.
• Ingredients: 100% Palestinian olive oil, water, and lye—no additives or chemicals.
• Why it matters: It's natural, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, and helps preserve a unique Palestinian tradition under threat.

Shop more Olive Oil Soap here. 

4. Keffiyeh (Palestinian Scarf)

• What it is: A black-and-white checked scarf that’s become a global symbol of Palestinian identity and resistance.
• Cultural Note: The Hirbawi factory in Hebron is the last Palestinian keffiyeh producer.
• Trend: Worn by artists, activists, and allies worldwide as a statement of solidarity.

Shop more Keffiyeh Scarves here. 

5. Handcrafted Leather Goods

• What it is: Palestinian leatherworkers craft wallets, sandals, bags, and belts using locally sourced leather and traditional techniques.
• Where: Hebron is the center of this industry, with skills passed down through generations.

Shop more Leather Bags & Pouches here.

6. Olive Oil & Culinary Goods

• What it is: Palestine produces some of the world’s finest olive oil, often made by hand using ancient presses.
• Also Popular: Za’atar, sumac, freekeh, and maftoul (hand-rolled couscous), often prepared and packaged by women-run cooperatives.
• Why it matters: Buying these goods supports sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty in Palestine.

Where to Buy Authentic Palestinian Crafts (with International Shipping)

1. HandmadePalestine.com

• Based in Palestine, with US fulfillment
• Wide selection: tatreez, olive wood, keffiyehs, soaps, jewelry, and home goods
• All profits support artisans, reforestation, and ecological projects

2. HandmadePalestine.eu

• EU-based for faster shipping within Europe
• Offers the same artisan goods with fewer customs delays
• Supports the same makers and cooperatives as the .com site

3. ShopPalestine.org

• Run by the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA)
• Stocks soap, tatreez, ceramics, books, and keffiyehs
• Proceeds support children and families in Gaza and the West Bank

4. Sunbula.org

• A Jerusalem-based nonprofit fair trade organization
• Partners with women’s groups, disabled artisans, and refugees
• Offers beautifully made tatreez, home décor, and more

5. Nabali Fairkost

• Based in Germany, focused on Palestinian food products
• Specializes in olive oil, za’atar, freekeh, and maftoul
• Fair trade certified and ideal for EU customers

Why It Matters: Ethical Consumerism as Solidarity

Buying Palestinian handmade goods is more than a transaction—it’s a political act of solidarity, a way to resist cultural erasure, and a lifeline for communities surviving under siege.

Every keffiyeh, soap bar, or embroidered pouch carries the hands and hopes of real people—artisans living and creating in Palestine today.

How You Can Help

• Buy direct: Shop from transparent, ethical platforms that center artisan voices.
• Share: Post about your purchases and help amplify these stories.
• Gift with purpose: Choose handmade gifts with history, meaning, and impact.
• Support year-round: Palestinian artisans face restrictions every day—not just during the holidays.

Together, We Can Protect Culture and Empower Communities

By choosing handmade, ethical goods from Palestine, you're helping preserve heritage, create jobs, and uplift communities through beauty, purpose, and care.

Thank you for standing with Palestine—not just in words, but in action.