GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The city of Hebron is full of different types of crafts that distinguish it from other Palestinian cities. This led it to win the 2016 World Crafts City award, organized by the World Crafts Council (WCC). Rula Maayah, the Palestinian minister of tourism and antiquities, learned that Hebron won the title Sept. 6. The WCC organizes the competition on a yearly basis in a bid to record crafts from around the world and to encourage craft.
Ahmed Rajoub, an official with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, told Al-Monitor he was thrilled to learn that Hebron won the title. He confirmed that this win was expected, as the WCC evaluation committee visited Hebron in early August and shortlisted the city. Rajoub said the results were announced earlier than expected due to technical reasons related to the council; the winners were to have been announced Sept. 22.