Murdered Palestinian Cartoonist Wanted to Reach Palestine With His Art
CrossFireArabia- July 23, 2026
On this day, July 22, 1987, an unknown assailant shot Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali in London, wounding him below his right eye. He remained in a coma until his death on August 29.
Al Ali drew with one goal: To reach Palestine with his art. For him, the road to Palestine was neither far nor near; it was the distance of a revolution.
The martyred Palestinian writer, novelist, and journalist Ghassan Kanafani discovered him after seeing his drawings during a visit to the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp. Kanafani published his first cartoon in the magazine “Al-Hurriya” in 1961: it depicted a tent with a hand waving from its peak.
All of Al Ali’s drawings featured the character of Handala, a 10-year-old boy who symbolizes the suffering yet resilient Palestinian. Despite all the hardships he faces, Hanthala is a truthful witness to events, fearless and unconcerned, with his back to the world and his hands behind his back. Al Ali introduced other characters who accompanied Hanthala, including the Palestinian woman represented by Fatima, a strong, angry, and uncompromising figure whose stance on the Palestinian cause is clear. This contrasts with her husband, a hardworking, thin, mustachioed fighter, hesitant and submissive, yet ultimately a kind and peaceful man.
Even today, the British police issues an appeal every year for information about him, hoping that “someone will feel more able to speak freely,” according to Scotland Yard’s latest appeal.
May his soul rest in peace.
