The Soap Maker’s Hands

In the heart of Nablus, amid the narrow stone alleyways, stands a centuries-old soap factory where the scent of olive oil fills the air. Abu Yasser, a fifth-generation soap maker, moves with precision, his hands stained with the golden oil that his ancestors have used for over a thousand years.

"This isn’t just soap," he says, lifting a freshly cut bar. "This is history. This is Palestine."

For generations, Palestinian families have perfected the art of olive oil soap making. With only three simple ingredients—Palestinian olive oil, water, and an alkaline agent—each bar is crafted by hand, following the same method passed down from ancestors who once worked in these very rooms. But beyond tradition, this soap carries a deeper meaning: resistance.

Under occupation, the soap industry has faced relentless obstacles. Factories have been bombed, access to raw materials restricted, and businesses suffocated by military checkpoints. Yet, like the olive trees of Palestine, the soap makers persist. Every morning, they return to their workshops, pouring their craft and their defiance into each batch. Their work is more than a livelihood—it is an act of defiance against the forces that seek to erase Palestinian culture.

Each bar is left to dry for weeks, during which time the factory walls echo with the voices of artisans sharing stories of past generations, of struggles endured, and of hope carried forward. There is an unspoken understanding in these spaces—soap making is a responsibility, a commitment to keeping history alive.

Every bar of Nablus soap is a symbol of resilience. It cleanses more than just skin—it carries the weight of history, the struggle of artisans who refuse to let their craft be erased, and the promise that Palestinian heritage will endure. When you lather with this soap, you’re not just embracing centuries of tradition; you’re standing in solidarity with a people whose story refuses to be washed away.

Ribhi Karajah, Researcher

Sources:

• UNESCO Reports on Intangible Cultural Heritage

• "Nablus Soap and the Palestinian Identity," Journal of Middle Eastern Studies

• Al Jazeera Documentary: The Last Soap Makers of Nablus