A craft fair at Peninsula United Church this Saturday (Nov. 29) is offering Surrey residents a chance to support Palestinian artisans whose livelihoods have been devastated by the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the dramatic drop in tourism across the West Bank.
Tourism collapse leaves artisans struggling
Retired minister Janice Young, who now attends The Church at South Point, said many Palestinian artists and craftspeople have lost most of their income as visitor numbers have “plummeted.” The fair, she said, is a small but meaningful effort to help people whose work is now difficult to sustain.
The initiative was sparked by Sechelt resident Katryn Harris, who travelled to the West Bank in October 2024 and heard firsthand how the war has cut artisans off from their primary sources of income. Harris said many artists asked her to “tell your friends what’s happening here.”
Handmade items brought to Surrey
Moved by Harris’s stories, Young and Peninsula United Church member Kathy Booth helped organize the South Surrey event. Harris collected hundreds of handmade goods — so many that a friend with a large van had to assist with transport.
Items include olive-wood nativity carvings, stained-glass ornaments, traditional Tatreez embroidery, spices and a variety of one-of-a-kind artisanal crafts created in and around Bethlehem, Hebron and Nablus. Many of the artisans work through nonprofits whose operations have been disrupted by funding freezes and online sales restrictions.
A way to stay connected
Young, who last visited the region in 2012, said she has often felt “a sense of hopelessness” about how to help people affected by the conflict. Harris’s outreach, she said, offers a human connection and a way for Surrey residents to make a tangible difference.
Proceeds from the fair will support charities including L’Arche Bethlehem and Bethlehem Bible College.
Event details
The Palestinian Craft Faire runs from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at Peninsula United Church, 2756 127 Street, South Surrey.
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