Olive wood carving in Palestine

How it changed

The initial instruction in olive wood carving for local residents came from Greek Orthodox monks.^[1] Descendants of the first carvers continue to dominate the craft, which has been transmitted across generations.^[3] Rough outlines are first obtained using drilling machines, which handle 15% of the production and remove some of the hardest and most time-consuming carving steps.^[3] To achieve a natural shine and durability, the completed item is sanded, polished, and then covered with olive wax.^[3]

The entire production, from start to finish, can last up to 45 days, depending on the item being made.^[3] Professional carvers typically undergo a training period lasting between six and seven years.^[4] Bethlehem's olive wood carving industry, a long-standing economic pillar, was severely affected by the 2023 Israel-Hamas war.^[5] A drastic drop in tourism occurred because of the conflict, and tourists are the main buyers of the region's handmade religious items.^[5]

Since October 7, 2023, Bethlehem has faced millions of dollars in economic losses, with the tourism sector suffering a 100% loss, as reported by the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy.^[5]

What the maker and period sources say

The same source states that Zuluf partners with over 20 Christian artisan families to handcraft authentic olive wood crosses, nativity sets, rosaries, and religious gifts shipped to over 30 countries.^[6] The blog post claims that all products, such as olive wood beads, are made from sustainably sourced materials, with olive wood harvested responsibly.^[6]