In Hebron, a city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank known as the “World City of Handicrafts” since 2016, artisans are fighting to preserve their centuries-old crafts amid war, blockades, and collapsing tourism. Once bustling with visitors, Hebron’s historic bazaar now stands nearly empty due to Israeli restrictions and ongoing tensions.
Tile master Mohammed al-Natshe continues producing Ottoman-style ceramics in his family’s 400-year-old workshop but says exports have plummeted under Israel’s blockade. “As long as tourists don’t come to Palestine, tile art is dead,” he said.
Nearby, 76-year-old glassblower Yaqub al-Natshe—the last of 18 glass factories still operating—keeps the city’s glassmaking heritage alive using recycled bottles and handmade techniques passed down for generations. “We protect the environment and our history,” he said, as his workshop stands as a rare flame of Hebron’s fading craftsmanship.
Huriye Ferah Vanlı – Refik Fidan