Palestine’s last authentic Keffiyeh factory stands strong

The occupied West Bank city of Hebron is home to Hirbawi, the last remaining factory of authentic Palestinian keffiyehs inside Palestine. Founded in 1961 by Yasser Hirbawi, the historic factory has withstood occupation, economic hardship and a flood of cheap imports to keep a vital piece of Palestinian heritage alive–the keffiyeh.

Known globally for its iconic black-and-white pattern, the keffiyeh was once a staple across the Levant. Traditionally worn by farmers for sun and dust protection, it became a symbol of Palestinian resistance during the 1930s revolt against British colonial rule in Palestine and played a role in creating a sense of national unity. This identity was solidified in the 1960s when Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, adopted the keffiyeh as his signature attire, making it a global emblem of the Palestinian struggle for self-determination.

The keffiyeh design itself is also deeply symbolic. The classic black fishnet pattern represents fishing nets, a nod to Palestinian fishermen and community life along the Mediterranean. Olive leaf motifs evoke the olive tree — a symbol of peace, steadfastness and the Palestinian people’s deep roots in the land. The bold border, sometimes interpreted as signifying trade routes, can also be seen as a chain and read both as a reminder of barriers imposed under occupation and the unbreakable resolve of the Palestinian people.

Today, the keffiyeh continues to signal solidarity with Palestine, standing as both a cultural icon and a call for justice. In a world of mass production and cultural dilution, Hibrawi’s personal and political craft endures, and every scarf produced on their decades-old looms carries a legacy of struggle.

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