Bethlehem

===Mother-of-pearl carving===
{{main|Mother-of-pearl carving in Bethlehem}}
[[File:Workers in mother-of-pearl2.jpg|thumb|Craftsmen working with [[Mother-of-Pearl carving in Bethlehem|mother-of-pearl]], early 20th century]]

The art of mother-of-pearl carving is said to have been a Bethlehem tradition since the 15th century when it was introduced by [[Franciscan]] [[friar]]s from [[Italy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palestine-family.net/index.php?nav=6-207&cid=498&did=2502&pageflip=1 |title=Tourist Products|publisher=Palestine-Family.net |date=January 23, 2007 |access-date=February 18, 2012|url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206210408/http://www.palestine-family.net/index.php?nav=6-207&cid=498&did=2502&pageflip=1|archive-date=December 6, 2013}}</ref> A constant stream of [[pilgrim]]s generated a demand for these items, which also provided jobs for women.<ref>Weir, pp. 128, 280, n.30</ref> The industry was noted by [[Richard Pococke]], who visited Bethlehem in 1727.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_wY4qAAAAMAAJ ''A Description of the East and Some other Countries''], p. 436</ref>