At the Emergency Conference of the Hague Group, co-chaired by Colombia and South Africa, French-Palestinian European Parliament Member Rima Hassan made a powerful statement of solidarity by wearing a traditional Palestinian “Taqsireh” jacket, symbolizing the deep historical roots of the Palestinian people.
“This Palestinian jacket (Taqsireh) from Bethlehem is older than Israel,” wrote Hassan on X , alongside a photo of herself donning the garment. The jacket, made of black velvet and adorned with golden embroidery, dates back to the 1920s or 1930s, decades before the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.
The Taqsireh, a traditional short jacket typically worn over a ceremonial thobe called the “Malak,” is a key piece in the Palestinian wedding trousseau (kisweh). Originating in Bethlehem and other hill regions like Ramallah and Hebron, the jacket is traditionally made of velvet and silk, lined with cotton, and embroidered with silk and metal threads using the intricate “Tahriri” (couching) stitch. The dense embroidery on its sleeves and front panels often features plant motifs, while a striking floral tree is displayed on the back.
According to renowned author and researcher Shelagh Weir, the design of the Taqsireh draws inspiration from Ottoman and British military attire, blending cultural identity with political resistance. The garment was a staple among fellaheen (village women) and is recognized for its regional variations and craftsmanship.
Rima Hassan, a vocal pro-Palestinian advocate, has previously been part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a humanitarian initiative delivering essential supplies like baby formula, rice, and medical equipment to Palestinians under siege.
Her symbolic gesture came amid the wider Hague Group conference, where representatives from 30 nations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas convened in Colombia to discuss urgent steps to halt what they referred to as the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Twelve countries — Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Indonesia, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and South Africa — announced six coordinated measures aimed at curbing Israeli military aggression and occupation policies. These include arms embargoes, restrictions on maritime transit, and a review of public contracts associated with Israeli institutions.
The conference reaffirmed the need to uphold international law and pursue accountability for violations against Palestinian civilians.
