BRITAIN IN PALESTINE 

The Old Soap Factory, Nablus

 

Palestine had several centuries-old towns, like Nablus, which had a large multi-class population, from peasants to professionals, and thriving industries. Soap making was a particular industry in Nablus, using the olives that grew in the fertile land around the town.  The many soap factories employed labourers, technicians, managers and sales staff whose success led to Nablus soap becoming well-known throughout Palestine and abroad.

 

In Nablus today, one resident, Naseer Arafat, has preserved his family’s soap factory as a reminder of the earlier era of prosperity.