Vegans for Palestine Podcast - Episode 18 - Handala in Exile

In this episode, two vegan Palestinians in the diaspora, Suzi and Rayan, reflect on life in exile and the enduring struggle for identity and justice whilst living outside of Palestine. Suzi shares her family’s story of fleeing their destroyed village during the 1948 Nakba, recounting how her relatives rebuilt their lives while holding onto their Palestinian heritage. Suzi reflects on moments of connection with other Palestinians across the diaspora and how recent events in Gaza have reopened generational wounds of displacement, trauma and loss. Suzi also speaks about Handala, the beloved Palestinian icon created by artist Naji al-Ali — a barefoot child with his back turned to the world, representing the innocence of exile and the steadfast resistance of the Palestinian people. Handala stands as a timeless symbol of defiance, resilience, and the refusal to accept injustice. The episode concludes with Suzi reflecting on her lifelong compassion for animals, her journey into veganism, and how empathy and justice are deeply interwoven in her Palestinian identity and ethical practice.

Captioned for Deaf & Hard of Hearing people here. 

Naji al-Ali remembered: A Palestinian cartoonist gunned down in London. Read here.

Who is Handala? Read: Who is Handala, the barefoot, spiky-haired boy who symbolizes Palestinian resistance? Read here.

Handala is a 10-year-old refugee boy created by cartoonist Naji Al-Ali - watch summary here.

The music featured in this episode is by Rana Hamida, Adan Wakeem and Emsallam.

Rana Hamida is a Palestinian artist, yogi, director, and human rights advocate based in Aotearoa (New Zealand). In 2024, Rana joined the Freedom Flotilla Coalition aboard Handala, sailing in solidarity with Palestine. The following year, she was part of the Aotearoa delegation for the Global March to Gaza but was denied entry upon arrival at the Egyptian airport. Undeterred, Rana continues to organise locally, fostering unity, resilience, and solidarity within the movement. She serves as a spokesperson for the Aotearoa delegation and as the communications and media lead for the Global Sumūd Flotilla. Follow Rana’s work and activism on Instagram.

Adan Wakeem is a Palestinian musician from the village of Ma’liya in the Galilee, now based in Haifa. Wakeem gained recognition for her reinterpretation of “Bent el 48” (بنت الـ٤٨), a mash-up cover that highlights her connection to identity and place. She has collaborated with other Palestinian artists, including Emsallam on the track “Aref Innak,” and continues to build a body of work that celebrates Palestinian heritage while experimenting with modern soundscapes. Listen to Adan's music here.

Emsallam (Msallam Hdaib) is a Palestinian artist, musician, & painter currently based in Moscow. With a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s in Ceramics, he blends his passions for visual art and music. Follow Emsallam here  Check out his music here  and here on soundcloud

The Vegans for Palestine Podcast Team would like to thank Suzi for donating her time to talk to us, share her stories and her experiences. One day, Handala will no longer be in exile. Neither will we.