Handala is a character created by Palestinian cartoonist Naji Al-Ali, depicting him as a 10-year-old boy, the same age Naji was when he was exiled from his homeland of Palestine. To reject the injustice imposed on Palestinians by the international community, he stands with his hands clasped, facing away from the camera, and expresses his protest with a pinhead resembling a cactus (a symbol of Palestinian resistance). His name comes from the Handala plant, which grows in Palestine, regrows when cut, and develops deep roots. Handala will remain 10 years old and will not grow up until he can return to Palestine.