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FILE - Jewish Bay Area residents stage a sit-in protest in the lobby of Senator Alex Padilla's office in San Francisco calling for a stop to the Israel-Hamas war, August 27, 2025. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP, File)

From refugee camps to stitching circles, many in the Palestinian diaspora around the world are engaging with a traditional form of Palestinian embroidery as far more than a decorative aesthetic. Known as “tatreez,” they're finding in it a celebration of cultural heritage and a bridge to their homeland and dispersed communities. To many, it’s become over the decades a symbol of Palestinian identity, a vehicle for documenting history and a form of resistance. With the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, some have turned to the embroidery to raise funds, show solidarity and focus attention on the plight of Palestinians in the enclave. For some, the craft also provides an economic lifeline.