During the past months, we at WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization), have been following with increasing concern what has been happening in Palestine and Israel, countries where many of the members of our network are located.

Since its establishment, WFTO has been dedicated to addressing unfair practices within economic systems and acting as a driving force for restorative justice in trade. However, as the global community of Fair Trade Enterprises, our efforts are not only focused on the economic side of business but also on recentering the discourse on the need for values in the economy. One that is fair, ethical, and inclusive.

Photo credits: Sindyanna of Galilee

Guided by this vision, we don’t just advocate for change in business practices; we strive to foster equity on a global scale. As advocates for systemic change, it is our responsibility to stand up for solidarity, peace, and justice, values that have been at the core of our community from the very beginning.

During these terrible times, our thoughts have been all for our members located in the areas. We know that behind every product and business lies a human story, which is directly affected by this war. We collaborated with the people affected by these events; we know them by name, and we shook their hands at our Summits. They are our fellow fair traders, colleagues, and friends, and they are heavily suffering from the ongoing war. 

This attack on the Palestinian people cannot go on any longer. We urgently call for an immediate ceasefire, and strongly condemn the violation of human rights and the war crimes committed by the State of Israel in Gaza territory to all civilians. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all civilians impacted by this conflict as we condemn war and its impact on communities, and innocent lives.

Even though we feel powerless in front of the extreme and continuous violence shown on the news, we want to remind you that we are not powerless and we can show our support in many ways.

• Sign the petition to call for an immediate cease-fire – your voice counts
• Participate in open demonstrations organised in your city to speak up 
• Support the businesses (and the people behind them) that are directly affected by the war. Here’s our selection from our community, entrepreneurs who are 100% committed to solidarity, peace and Fair Trade practices

Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans

Photo credits: Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans

Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans collaborates with local producers located in Palestine, working with olive wood, and creating intricate embroidery works, olive oil soap, felt wool, and recycled products. Its mission is to support the local community by creating better opportunities for marginalised producers and a space to sell their crafts. One of their most representative products is the kuffiya, a traditional Palestinian scarf that represents fishing nets and ears of grain. BFTA also works on promoting Palestinian culture and traditions by serving authentic Palestinian home-cooked meals, offering art classes, and organising traditional folklore dance performances at their Artisan Village located in the heart of the old city of Beit Sahour.

Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society

Photo credits: Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society

Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society, based in Bethlehem, has been in business for over four decades. It serves as a platform supporting 35 members, who are small-scale producers of artisanal crafts, by providing fair sourcing materials and facilitating the marketing of their goods. Specialising in olive wood and Mother-of-pearl carving, HLHCS aims to preserve handicraft traditions for future generations of Palestinians. Their product range also includes jewellery, glass and ceramic, and religious items. In addition, the cooperative works to alleviate local unemployment, reduce emigration, and support local women’s enterprise groups and organisations that assist individuals with disabilities. The Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society has a dream of peace and believes that Fair Trade is a powerful tool to reach this aspiration.

Sindyanna Of Galilee (سنديانة الجليل) (סינדיאנת הגליל)

Photo credits: Sindyanna of Galilee

Sindyanna Of Galilee is a Fair Trade Enterprise led by women and based in Israel, which specialises in the sale of organic and extra virgin olive oils (EVOO), za’atar spice mixes, carob syrup, almonds, honey, olive oil soaps, and various traditional handicrafts. Their team comprises both Arab and Jewish women who are united by a vision of collaboration, solidarity and fairness. Through their activities, Sindyanna Of Galilee works to bridge cultural divides between Israelis and Palestinians, promote sustainable agriculture, and bolster organic farming practices. Through the years their EVOO has received international recognition and won prestigious awards like the 2023 Japan Olive golden medal in the organic category, and the 2022 NYOOC golden medal for their Coratina EVOO.

Al Reef For Investment And Agricultural Marketing

Photo credits: Al Reef for Investment and Agricultural Marketing

Established in 1993, Al Reef promotes Palestinian agricultural products globally, including olive oil, medjoul dates, almonds, couscous, and olive oil soap. Committed to our 10 Fair Trade Principles, Al Reef collaborates with the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee supporting Palestinian farmers and women, ensuring fair practices across their business and promoting sustainable development. Al Reef simultaneously works on developing their production capacity and improving the quality of their products, ensuring the farmers will receive fairer payments for their work. All Al Reef products are certified organic, including the USDA and EU Organic labels. On their website, Al Reef has a dedicated space where they share firsthand stories of their members, and where they publish delicious Palestinian recipes for anyone to make at home. Al-Reef encourages all people around the world and solidarity movements to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, to spread the truth about the crimes and violations of international law by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians, to protest and to stress on their governments to put an end to all of this and address the political rights of the Palestinian people. They also decided to launch a fundraising campaign called “Building Hope for Gaza” to contribute to the mitigation of the effects of the genocide that has been carried out in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli occupation. Find more details here. (Trigger Warning: Graphic Content)

Achoti (Sister) For Women In Israel (אחותי)

Photo credits: Achoti (Sister) For Women In Israel

Achoti is a Fair Trade Enterprise made of a group of female entrepreneurs and artists based in Israel, selling a wide range of products including jewellery, embroidered accessories, pottery, kitchen products and more. Anchoti provides the artisans a platform to promote their business and supports them in translating their unique knowledge and skills into real business opportunities. In addition, Anchoti serves as a collaborative space for creating valuable partnerships between their members. Anchoti’s products are handmade from environmentally friendly materials, and created under respectful and fair working conditions. Every purchase directly benefits the artisan, as well as the platform. Their vision is to raise issues of economic and social justice from a Mizrahi feminist perspective, connecting issues of identity, nationalism, ethnicity and feminism.