The stories of Palestinian women in embroidery

A development of great interest to the global public has come to the fore. NEWS Top Stories The Story of Palestinian Women in Embroidery April 27, 2026 07:00 The 4th Cemre Market, organized by TOGEM-DER—of which Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Tayyip Erdoğan, is Honorary President—was held at The Peninsula Hotel in Istanbul. The Cemre Market, which opened on April 24, 2026, with Emine Erdoğan in attendance and concluded yesterday, brought together 80 different brands. One of the most striking features of the Cemre Market, where shopping meets charity, was the embroidered works carrying the quiet yet profound stories of Palestinian women—a display that also caught Emine Erdoğan’s attention during her visit.

In the past, every motif in the Palestinian embroidered (Tatreez-Tatriz) garments worn by Palestinian women in their daily lives carried a meaning. The embroidery tells the story of the women’s emotions, social status, and the geography they inhabit. The olive tree symbolizes patience and strength, while the cypress tree symbolizes resilience.

Details of the Developments

The red basil flower signifies abundance and mercy. Bird motifs express a longing for freedom. Rufeyda Bedran, who lives in the Palestinian city of Jenin, is one of the names carrying on this tradition.

By blending the embroidery she learned from her grandmother with modern designs and weaving motifs into bags and clothing to bridge the past and the present, Rufeyda Bedran has become a focal point for visitors at Cemre Market with her handcrafted products. According to Bedran, the bond Palestinian women have with embroidery is not merely aesthetic; it is also a matter of identity, memory, and belonging. Noting that embroidery serves as a form of expression for them, Bedran said, “By looking at the motif or color on a woman’s garment, you can tell if her husband has died, whether she is married or single, or even which city she comes from.

“Every motif tells a story,” she said. - Historically, every village in Palestine had its own unique tatreez (tatriz) patterns. These patterns were distinctive designs that told stories about the local people, legends, animals, plants, and beliefs.

What Do Experts Say?

Tatreez has gained additional political significance in the context of displacement and resistance in Palestine. Tatreez patterns continue to hold social importance today as a way for Palestinian women to embody and disseminate their cultural heritage. Tatreez (tatriz), which means “embroidery” in Arabic, was recognized by UNESCO in 2021 as an important “intangible cultural heritage.”

For the latest breaking news from Turkey, today’s most recent developments, current political news, and all breaking news, visit the online news site hurriyet.tr. News content from this site may not be quoted without citing the source; it is illegal to copy or republish it elsewhere without permission.

The development has sparked widespread reaction in the international community. Diplomatic circles are closely monitoring the situation.