Naji Al Ali

Naji Al Ali was born in 1937 in Palestine. When Naji was 10 years old, he was forced out of his home country of Palestine. Naji and his family, along with many other Palestinians settled in a refugee camp in the South of Lebanon, after being kicked out of his own country.

"As other kids in refugee camps, I was facing harsh times, and one of the ways of expressing my frustrations and agonies on the situation of Palestinians in refugee camps was through organizing and participating in demonstrations which almost always led me to prison," Naji Al Ali

Naji did end up in prison and this is where his cartooning began. Each time Naji ended up in prison he took a pencil with him and would draw along the prison walls. Naji depicted, in his cartoons, the Palestinian struggle and the hope of one day returning home.

Handala was born.

Handala is a famous character created by Naji. Handala was a 10 year old boy who never grew old in Naji's cartoons. He represented the poor Palestinian who was agonized and frustrated. He was always drawn with torn clothes and barefooted. Handala was a refugee, however, he was outspoken, honest, and always spoke the truth. Handala always stood with his hands behind his back to symbolize a rejection of all Arab regimes. Despite Handala's international fame, he never faced his public. He always stood with his hands behind his back, a distant spectator.

Handala represented the honest Palestinian.

On July 22, 1987 Naji was shot in the head in London, he slipped into a coma. He died August 30, 1987.

To read more about Naji and his career, click here.

*All images were taken from the Naji Al Ali official website.