Naji Al Ali

Naji Al Ali (1938 – 29 August 1987) is one of the most known Palestinian figures; he was a political cartoonist who successfully managed to reflect the critical Palestinian issue and the Arab reaction towards it. His opinions, and therefore, his cartoons always spoke the truth. As a result, he was targeted and classified as a threat. In 1987, he was murdered in London … He was brutally shot in the face.

Naji Al Ali’s was a brave man who never gave up on his principles. Even though he believed that reasoning with Israelis was impossible, his only weapons were a pencil, a paper, and a little boy called Hanthala. Hanthala represents a ten year-old boy who is the most famous among other cartoon characters. In the artist’s words: ”The ten-year old represented his age when forced to leave Palestine and would not grow up until he could return to his homeland; his turned back and clasped hands symbolised the character’s rejection of “outside solutions.” Handala wears ragged clothes and is barefoot, symbolising his allegiance to the poor. In later cartoons, he sometimes appears throwing stones or writing graffiti.” Hanthala became the signature of Naji Al Ali’s cartoons and is an identity icon for Palestinians all around the world.

I could not find many pictures of Naji Al Ali on the net, but the ones where he is actually smiling are rare. That is why I chose the photo above; I fell in love with it.

Waiting for another Naji, as we refuse to settle for anything less.

إللي بده يكتب عن فلسطين، و إللي بده يرسم لفلسطين، بده يعرف حاله ميت، أنا مش ممكن أتخلى عن مبادئي و لو على قطع رقبتي.

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