Who is Hanzala? Hanzala is a cartoon character created in 1969 by the martyred Palestinian artist Naji al-Ali, a refugee. The character symbolizes a child who was forced to leave Palestine at a young age. Al-Ali said that Hanzala would only grow up when he returns to his homeland. The barefoot 10-year-old boy is always depicted with his back turned to the viewer and hands clasped behind his back, silently witnessing the crimes of Zionists and the suffering of Palestinians. Through his simplicity, Hanzala conveys profound messages about Palestine’s plight and resistance, becoming a powerful cultural icon in the resistance narrative. For us, Hanzala is more than just a cultural or artistic symbol—it is a method of resistance. The creator of this character ultimately paid the price of this resistance with his life in 1987. The Award By “award,” we mean the Hanzala Medal of Excellence, granted to creators of exceptional educational products. It includes a monetary prize and a support package