This Holiday Season: Support Companies that Speak Up for Palestine
By: Zayna Salloum / Arab America Contributing Writer
As the holiday season draws near, we have found it increasingly challenging to embrace the joyful spirit of Christmas while being aware of the ongoing ethnic cleansing in Palestine. Each passing day feels like a recurring cycle of sorrow and violence, witnessing a distressing live portrayal of genocide unfolding right before our eyes.
From the turmoil in Gaza and The West Bank to the surge in hate crimes across the US, our hearts feel heavy, dampening any desire to partake in celebrations, especially Christmas. The irony of celebrating Christmas while witnessing the bombing and strife in the very birthplace of Jesus is troubling. How can we revel in festivities while families in Gaza endure displacement, loss of loved ones, and agonizing hunger? It feels wrong, and many of us grapple with this moral conflict as Christmas approaches.
At the same time, we also understand the struggle to participate in holiday work exchanges and families with children eagerly awaiting Santa Claus’s arrival. Sadly, this year’s holiday season coincides with a time when many of us are striving to boycott major corporations like Amazon, Google, and Disney; according to the BDS Movement (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions). Navigating where to shop ethically has become a daunting task, with seemingly every corner endorsing businesses supporting Israel’s actions.
So instead of shopping for big brands this year, let’s focus on staying local. To take it further, we have compiled a researched list of National Companies that have publicly supported Palestine.
Food:
Holy Land Dates @holylanddates
Haraz coffee shop @harazcoffeehouse
Treat you batter @treatyoubatter
Canaan Palestine @canaan.palestine
Playgrounds For Palestine @playgroundsforpalestine
Queen City Coffee @queencitycoffeeroasters
Diaspora Co. Spices @diasporaco
Alard Products @alardproductsusa
Beauty/Makeup:
Mona Kattan Perfume @monakattan
Yafa Queen @yafaqueennaturalproducts
Simihaze Beauty @simihazebeauty
Fashion:
Anat International @anat.international
Native Threads @nativethreads.co
Kuvrd @kuvrd
West Bank Apparel @westbankapparel
ThePaliProject @thepaliproject
West Bank Hoodie @westbankhoodie
Return Of Palestine @haneenwadalla
Zaytoona Stitches @zaytoonstitches
La Farrah Boutique @lafarrahboutique
Dipped in Culture @dippedinculture
Palestinian Hustle @palestinianhustle
Gifts:
Handmade Palestine @handmadepalestine
Shop Palestine @mecashoppalestine
Halseesan Books & Play @halseesan
Tatreez and Tea @tatreezandtea
Palestinian Soap Cooperative @palestiniansoap
Jewelry:
The Coral Beach @thecoralbeach
Home Decor:
Modern Wall Art @modernwallart
Books/Authors:
They Called Me A Lioness @ahedtamimi
Except for Palestine @marclamonthill
Sim Kern @sim_bookstagrams_badly
The Hundred Years’ War On Palestine
The Land in Our Bones By Layla K. Feghali @riverroseremembrance
Cookbooks:
Palestine on A Plate Joudie Kalla @palestineonaplate
Feast in the Middle East by Blanche Araj @feastinthemiddleeast_
Olives Lemons and Zaatar by Rawia Bishara
The Gaza Kitchen by Laila el-Haddad @gazamom and Maggie Schmitt,
Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora @reem.assil
Craving Palestine @cravingpalestine
Other Ways to Preserve Our Culture:
Adopt an Olive Tree– @handmadepalestine
Learn Arabic:
Where to Buy Books Other Than Amazon:
Finally, a curated playlist of artists who have also been vocal on Palestine.
Visit Arab America’s blog here!
