Handala​: A symbol of Witness and Resistance

 

Handala was created by Naji al-Ali in 1969 as a powerful symbol of the Palestinian experience. Depicted as a barefoot child with his back turned and hands clasped behind him, Handala represents a ten year old refugee the age at which al Ali himself was displaced and the age Handala will remain until justice is realized.

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Handala’s posture is deliberate. By turning his back, he refuses to accept a world that normalizes injustice. He does not engage, entertain, or soften his stance he simply bears witness. His tattered clothes and bare feet speak to dispossession, poverty, and dignity that persists despite it all.

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Over time, Handala has become an enduring emblem of resistance, truth, and steadfastness (sumud). He stands quietly, yet firmly, reminding us of the ongoing struggle for justice and the right to return.