As the festive season approaches, the streets fill with carols, glow with lights, and our hearts are drawn back to the origins of Christmas. Bethlehem, a proud Palestinian city where the story of hope and light began, embodies the essence of Christmas in every stone, hymn, and tradition. It is a place where faith, tradition, and community intertwine, inspiring the world far beyond its borders.
The Bethlehem-Glasgow Connection
While the holiday’s heart belongs to Bethlehem, its spirit shines brightly around the world—including in Glasgow. This connection is no coincidence: Glasgow and Bethlehem first signed a friendship agreement in 1992, evolving into formal twinning in 2007, reflecting Glasgow’s commitment to standing with Bethlehem and amplifying its story through creative and cultural collaboration.
This year, Glasgow demonstrated its solidarity further through a City Council motion in March calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. In May, the city hosted Palestinian artist Taqi Spateen, who created a mural symbolising unity and shared hope.
Bethlehem’s Challenges Today
Bethlehem today—a city home to 33,000 people, with a governorate population of 250,000—is not merely a symbol of history but a city under immense strain. Its communities endure hardships that contrast starkly with the joy and renewal the season represents.
Recent months have brought devastating news from Bethlehem and surrounding areas. Families face the demolition of their homes, the encroachment of illegal settlements on sacred sites, and a troubling rise in violence. Farmers have been displaced from their lands, schoolchildren face harassment, and families live under the constant threat of raids and detentions. These acts of oppression further isolate Bethlehem, a city heavily reliant on tourism to sustain its economy.
Traditionally, Christmas is a time of prosperity for Bethlehem and neighbouring cities like Jerusalem, with visitors flocking to experience the wonder of where it all began. But political restrictions and ongoing violence have made travel nearly impossible, cutting off a vital economic lifeline. For the second consecutive year, the Christmas season—a beacon of hope and renewal—is overshadowed by economic devastation, just as communities were beginning to recover from the pandemic’s impact.
Thriving Support for Fair Trade in Scotland
Scotland’s solidarity with Palestine extends beyond symbolic gestures. It thrives in tangible actions that support Palestinian farmers and producers. Thanks to the commitment of communities, businesses, retailers, and consumers—as well as organisations like the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, wholesalers such as Greencity Wholefoods and Highlands Wholefoods, and retailers including Oxfam—Zaytoun products are available across Scotland. From the bustling cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh to the beautiful Highlands and as far north as the Orkneys, this distribution network ensures Palestinian goods remain accessible to consumers.
These partnerships embody the values that connect Bethlehem and Glasgow: community, solidarity, and the belief in a better future. They represent a relationship rooted in shared ideals, where the spirit of Christmas finds new meaning in the kindness and generosity of people working together across borders.
#WhereChristmasBegan
As you prepare for Christmas this year, take a moment to appreciate the connections that make this season so meaningful. From Bethlehem’s lush groves to Scotland’s festive markets, every product you enjoy from Zaytoun carries a story of resilience and hope. By supporting small-scale farmers, preserving Palestinian traditions, and standing with the people of Palestine, you become part of this enduring story.
Whether you’re drizzling olive oil over your festive feast, gifting a box of Medjoul dates to loved ones, or singing carols inspired by Bethlehem’s story, remember: Christmas began in Palestine, and it lives on in the solidarity, compassion, and love we share today.
To experience Zaytoun products and support producers in the birthplace of Christmas, visit the following retailers across Scotland, who will be sampling Zaytoun this month: New Leaf (date TBC), Dig In (14th Dec), Nourish and Bloom (6th Dec), Penicuik Community Alliance (14th Dec), Roots and Fruits (7th Dec), At Gavin’s Mill (7th Dec) and Marmalade Deli (12th and 19th Dec).
Other posts you’ll love
