Handala: The Boy Who Will Only Turn Around When Palestine is Free
You might think Handala is just a cartoon character, but he’s far more than that - he’s a powerful symbol of Palestinian resistance, resilience, and unwavering defiance. Created by the renowned Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali in 1969, Handala represents every Palestinian who has faced dispossession, displacement, and oppression. Born in the village of al-Shajara in Galilee, Naji al-Ali himself was forcibly expelled from his home at the age of ten during the Nakba, along with over 750,000 other Palestinians. This is why Handala is forever ten years old—frozen in time, a child of exile who will only grow up when his homeland is free. “When he returns, Handala will start growing up,” al-Ali explained, emphasizing that Handala will never age until justice is served.
Handala’s bare feet, ragged clothes, and spiky hair resemble the cactus plant, or handhal, which thrives in Palestine's arid lands. Like the cactus, Handala symbolizes the endurance and rootedness of Palestinians; their connection to the land is deep, and like the cactus, they cannot be cut off from their homeland. Al-Ali said, “I drew him as a child who is not beautiful; his hair is like the hair of a hedgehog who uses his thorns as a weapon.” Handala’s rough appearance embodies the suffering and strength of Palestinian refugee children who refuse to surrender or forget.
Handala didn’t turn his back to the world until 1973, after the Yom Kippur War, when foreign powers like the United States pushed for settlements that dismissed the rights of Palestinians. By turning his back, Handala became a silent observer, witnessing the hypocrisy of global politics and the betrayal by those who claimed to support justice. Al-Ali said that we would only see Handala's face when Palestine is free. His hands are always clasped behind his back, not in surrender but as a gesture of steadfast resistance, symbolizing his rejection of imposed solutions and false peace. Al-Ali stated that Handala “is the arrow of the compass, pointing steadily towards Palestine - not just Palestine in geographical terms, but Palestine in its humanitarian sense - the symbol of a just cause, whether it is located in Egypt, Vietnam, or South Africa.”
Naji al-Ali’s cartoons, featuring Handala, were bold critiques not only of Israeli occupation but also of Arab regimes that betrayed the Palestinian cause. A staunch Pan-Arab nationalist, al-Ali's powerful art criticized corruption and complacency in the Arab world. His courage came at a high cost; al-Ali was assassinated in London in 1987, likely as a result of his unyielding criticism of both Israeli policies and Arab leadership.
The strength of Handala’s message has made him a global symbol of just causes. His imagery has been censored, banned, and attacked by those who fear the truth he represents. Yet, as Naji al-Ali intended, Handala cannot be silenced. His image continues to inspire resistance, standing as a reminder of the injustices faced by Palestinians and oppressed peoples everywhere. “This character was born to survive,” al-Ali said. “I will continue with him, even after I die.”
"Free Handala" is about more than freeing a character—it’s about freeing the spirit of resistance that he embodies. It’s about standing up for a just cause and refusing to bow to forces that try to distort or silence the truth. By supporting Handala, you’re standing with every Palestinian who dreams of a life free from occupation and oppression.
The struggle for Palestinian freedom will continue, and we look forward to the day when we finally see Handala’s face. Stand with Handala. Stand for justice.
Free Handala. Free Palestine.
