Since 1993, PAL CRAFTAID has imported and sold in the United States Palestinian olive wood sculptures and counted cross stitch needlework made by Palestinian
 artisans who offer fair wages to th

The how and why of Pal Craftaid: In the fall of 1993, I learned of the increased hardships for Palestinians. I thought a short term venture of importing Palestinian sculpted olive wood could assist some families in surviving economically and gain hope. What was conceived as a short term, stop-gap effort has extended to fourteen years. Needless to say, the Palestinian daily life and circumstances have become tragically awful and isolating with fewer resources to meet daily needs to keep body and soul together. Malnutrition and depression are major problems for the present and future. The psychological experience of feeling abandoned by the Christian community and world neighborhood is probably the greatest barrier and deficit to be overcome and absorbed by the Palestinian people as they struggle to remain healthy and alive.

I have made 29 trips to Jerusalem and the West Bank since July of '92. Of course I placed orders for olive wood and counted cross stitch needlework with the artisans -- but always, the primary purpose has been to be a visible presence of care and solidarity with them and the Palestinian community in their struggles. I have been able to bring laughter and hugs which they have appreciated so very much. What a privilege for me!

Personal experience: In July 1992 I was a participant in the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s Middle East Seminar. The purpose was to better understand the source of conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis. It proved to be a very intensive, illuminating and life-changing experience. The program was evenly balanced in hearing and seeing from Israelis and Palestinian Muslims and Christians. At no point did staff suggest what one should think or feel. The Occupation and the conditions it creates spoke for itself. Near the end of the seminar we visited Yad Veshem, the holocaust museum, which is a heart-ripping experience seeing what atrocities humans can do to one another.

The children's museum became the defining moment. You walk into a darkened room with only small twinkling lights from the ceiling to guide you through the large area. There is a litany of names of Jewish children murdered by Hitler and his regime. In the midst of this litany came the thought - what about the hundreds of Palestinian children who have been shot, killed and maimed by the Israeli army - who knows about them. They are nameless!
At that point I felt a call to make known the Palestinian story.

The Palestinian story is one of struggle of a people to fulfill their dream of self determination and basic human rights. Lastly, it is a story of the interdependence and interaction of faith ,courage and hope to persist when there is no visible evidence that the life-destroying situation will change.

Rev. Elizabeth Knott
Founder
Pal Craftaid

When you purchase a piece of olive wood sculpture or needlework, remember that behind each piece is a face, a family, and a desperate need — a need you can help meet