Handala

Handala (also spelled Handala, Handala, or Handalah) is a prominent symbol of Palestinian identity and resistance. He is a cartoon character created in 1969 by Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali. Handala is depicted as a young boy, around ten years old, who is always viewed from the back, never showing his face. He wears tattered clothes and is barefoot, symbolizing poverty and displacement.

Initially, Handala’s hands were clasped behind his back as a sign of helplessness and captivity, representing the plight of the Palestinian people under occupation. Only when the Palestinian cause had achieved its aims, and a just solution was reached, would Handala turn around and reveal his face. After Naji al-Ali’s death in 1987, Handala's hands remained clasped, reflecting the continuing struggle.

Handala became a ubiquitous symbol of Palestinian defiance and resilience. He represents the Palestinian refugees, especially the children who were displaced by the 1948 Palestinian exodus (the Nakba) and subsequent conflicts. He also stands for the struggle for self-determination and the right of return. Handala transcends geographical boundaries, appearing in graffiti, posters, and other forms of art throughout Palestinian territories and around the world, becoming a universally recognized emblem of Palestinian solidarity. He symbolizes not only the hardship and suffering of Palestinians but also their unwavering hope for a better future. The character has been adopted by people of other marginalized communities as well.