Ala’ is a 37-year-old Palestinian artisan living and working in the Old City of Jerusalem. From a young age, he has been deeply passionate about art in all its forms. He pursued this passion through formal studies in the arts at university, dreaming of one day becoming a full-time artist.

Faced with the economic and political realities of life in Jerusalem, Ala’ chose to combine his creative vision with a sense of duty. To support his father and contribute to the family’s livelihood, he turned his talent, artistic sensibility, and attention to detail toward the world of jewelry making.

Today, Ala’ has inherited his father’s jewelry shop nestled in the historic alleys of the Old City, where he has also set up his own workshop. There, he designs and handcrafts every piece himself, from the initial sketch to the final polish. These are not just accessories — they are wearable works of art.

Specializing in sterling silver, Ala’ often incorporates natural stones, Roman glass, and symbolic motifs drawn from Palestinian heritage, all while developing a signature style that is both rooted and modern. His creations are instantly recognizable: original, elegant, often meaningful, and always refined.

Ala’ is one of our most exceptional artisans — a creator whose work bridges memory and modernity, tradition and innovation. His jewelry pieces are rare, timeless, and infused with the spirit of Jerusalem.

Originally from Nablus, Sarah is 34 years old and holds a degree in Public Administration from Birzeit University. A lifelong lover of art and crafts, she turned to handmade creation after, like many Palestinians, struggling to find employment in her field of study.

Now based in Ramallah, Sarah decided to breathe new life into a nearly forgotten heritage: traditional Palestinian embroidery, or tatreez. She chose to incorporate these ancestral motifs into everyday items—functional, wearable, and modern—so this living memory can continue to be passed on.

She began by making hand-embroidered jewelry, then gradually expanded her collection to include tote bags, leather tatreez handbags and clutches, bandanas, keychains, and more. Inspired, meticulous, and creative, Sarah regularly designs new pieces that blend deep cultural roots with a contemporary spirit.

Ahmad is a third-generation jeweler, continuing his family's legacy in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City, where he runs his own workshop. A true artisan and artist, he handcrafts each piece of jewelry from start to finish with exceptional care and precision.

Specializing in gold and silver, Ahmad is particularly passionate about antique Palestinian coins, which he transforms into unique, history-infused jewelry pieces. He also offers customizable designs and a refined collection of Roman glass jewelry, made from nearly 2,000-year-old fragments found in Palestine.

Since October 7, 2023, Ahmad—like many Palestinian artisans in Jerusalem—has faced a devastating situation. With the disappearance of tourism and the closure of most shops in the Old City, he has been unable to sell his work. On top of this, he faces regular harassment from the Israeli police due to his creations rooted in Palestinian heritage.

Now 35 years old and the father of three children, Ahmad continues to create with passion and resilience, driven by his love for his craft, the memory of his land, and the vital support of people like you.

Omar, Thikryat, and Mahmoud are three Palestinian artists from Bethlehem who specialize in the intricate art of micro-mosaic jewelry. Each piece is entirely handcrafted using tiny natural stones — mostly sourced locally — set in sterling silver with exceptional care and precision.

Their workshop is one of the very few in the world still practicing this ancient craft. The technique they use dates back over 2,000 years and involves placing each miniature tessera by hand to create incredibly detailed patterns. Their work blends both traditional and modern designs, offering a unique fusion of history and contemporary aesthetics.

Each creation takes approximately one week to complete, from carefully selecting the stones to assembling and setting them in sterling silver. Because every piece is made by hand, they also offer the option for personalized designs.

Wearing one of their creations means carrying a piece of Palestine — rich with heritage, rooted in the land, and made with soul.

“I thought building a family would be the best thing in my life. I never imagined I wouldn’t be able to feed my children.”

Abeer, a 34-year-old Palestinian refugee from Gaza and mother of two, bears the full responsibility of providing for her family. Her husband is disabled and unable to work, and as an orphan herself, Abeer also cares for her two younger sisters.

In 2018, when the United States cut funding to UNRWA (the UN agency for Palestinian refugees), Abeer lost her job as a teacher in one of their schools—and with it, her only source of income. Determined to support her family, she started working as a tutor for neighborhood children. Sadly, given Gaza’s catastrophic economic situation, this was not nearly enough.

Refusing to give up, Abeer learned embroidery and traditional handicrafts, joining the social enterprise Piece of Palestine, which employed women in Gaza to create embroidered products. She became a key member of the team, specializing in bags, shawls, and accessories. However, the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic forced the enterprise to shut down.

Abeer decided to continue embroidering independently, and it is primarily thanks to your support that she has been able to provide for her family.

Given the current situation in Gaza since October 7, 2023, her products are unfortunately not available at this time.

Aladin is a Palestinian merchant and artisan in Jerusalem’s Old City, where he runs a shop specializing in traditional Palestinian dresses, as well as custom prints on t-shirts, sweatshirts, baby bodysuits, and tote bags, which he personally designs and prints with great care. His store is not just any shop—it is a true family legacy, passed down from his grandfather to his father, and now to Aladin himself.

Aladin is also a devoted father of three daughters. Like many Palestinian merchants in Jerusalem, his shop relies entirely on tourism to support his family and the families of his relatives. Already severely affected by the border closures during the Covid-19 pandemic, Aladin’s situation worsened dramatically with the outbreak of war in October 2023, which forced his shop to close completely. Since October 7, he has had no income, even though three households depend directly on his business.

The situation is even more critical because Aladin, like many Palestinian merchants, faces heavy police repression: he is forbidden from openly displaying products with Palestinian symbols in his shop, under threat of confiscation or punishment. As a result, he must hide these items, and we are currently the only ones able to sell them online on his behalf; without this support, he would not be able to offer these creations, which are essential for preserving Palestinian identity.

By supporting Aladin, you help sustain several families, preserve a unique craft, and stand against efforts to erase Palestinian culture.

Sa’ad is one of eight siblings who all grew up as orphans. Raised by his older brothers, they overcame life’s hardships together, starting from nothing and gradually managing to buy two shops in Jerusalem’s Old City. Today, Sa’ad works in one of these family-owned stores, carrying on the dream and determination of his brothers.

Born, raised, and still living in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sa’ad has an endless love for its historic and spiritual streets. In his youth, during the time of the First Intifada, like many Palestinians, he was deeply involved in political activism for his people’s freedom. This commitment led to multiple imprisonments and prevented him from completing his education.

Despite the challenges, Sa’ad embodies the resilience and dignity of Jerusalem’s residents, welcoming everyone who steps into his shop and sharing with them the true soul of his beloved city.

Rand Dabboor, born in Jerusalem (Palestine) in 1994, is a Palestinian graphic artist based in Ramallah. She is known for her unique ability to fuse the richness of Palestinian culture and heritage with contemporary art, creating original and bold works.

Through her art, Rand strives to preserve her people’s heritage in the face of theft and distortion, while reimagining it in a spectacular and modern way. She uses a vibrant palette and nostalgic elements that transport the viewer, inviting them to relive the simplicity and beauty of everyday life in the time of their grandparents.

Palestinement offers you a variety of products from different vendors in Jerusalem’s Old City.
We group these vendors under the label “Old City Vendors” because, at this stage, we don’t offer enough varied products from each of their shops to create separate categories for them.

It is vital to support them: Palestinian shopkeepers in Jerusalem face significant discrimination compared to other merchants. They are burdened with heavy taxes, excluded from state aid, and subjected to constant harassment by the police and tax authorities. On top of this, they are discriminated against when it comes to access to tourists — their main source of income. Most tourists are accompanied by Israeli tour guides who strongly discourage them from buying from Palestinian shops, falsely claiming that doing so would fund terr*rism.

For all these reasons — and many more — let’s support them and help keep the living heritage of Jerusalem’s Old City alive!

In the heart of the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, Akram transforms the scars of occupation into unique works of art. This Palestinian artisan, known for his creativity and meticulous craftsmanship, collects remnants of violence—such as tear gas canisters and other munitions fired by the Israeli army at the camp’s residents—and turns them into meaningful pieces like keychains and pendants that carry a powerful message of hope.

Akram also works with olive wood, Palestine’s iconic material, and incorporates centuries-old embroidery and traditional keffiyehs to create original items: boxes, bags, jewelry, and decorative objects. Every piece is handmade in his workshop within Aida camp, making each creation a testament to resilience and Palestinian identity.

By supporting Akram’s work, you not only help preserve exceptional craftsmanship but also contribute to transforming the daily suffering of Palestinians into a message of resistance and dignity, shared with the world through art.