Palestinian political cartoonist Mohammad Sabaaneh, an academician at the Arab American University, has won the prestigious Swedish EWK award for 2024, which was contested by 200 international artists.

Caricaturist Sabaaneh expressed his happiness with this international wining, saying, “This award, which is known for its appreciation of excellence in the art of political caricatures, represents a milestone in my career and is a strong evidence and global recognition of Palestinian art and its profound role in resistance and cultural expression.” He added, “This award does not belong to me, but to all Palestinians.”

“For hundreds of years, Palestinian art has been a form of resistance, a way to assert identity, document history, and inspire hope. My work embodies these traditions, using satire and poignant images to challenge oppression and call for peace and equality,” Sabaaneh said. “The international recognition this award brings ensures that the message reaches a wider audience and fosters greater understanding and solidarity worldwide,” he explained. “This award is not just for Sabaaneh, but for all Palestinians, who face atrocities that also affect art, culture, and narrative.”

“Sabaaneh has been mentioned as a possibility in our discussions for a long time, and now his name is of distinguished relevance, when the world’s eyes are on Palestine and the tragedies that are being committed there,” said Torbjörn Österhöm, chairman of the Swedish award jury.

“Like EWK’s drawings, Sabaaneh’s caricatures are almost text-free, making them universal and interpretable even to people who are not very familiar with the current political situation the artist is depicting. The caricatures themselves are clear and candid, with a combination of keen observational skill and empathy for the victims.”

Mohammad Sabaaneh has been a satirical caricaturist since 2002, highlighting Palestinian issues like his predecessor Naji Al-Ali, and made his breakthrough with the publication of Black and White: Political Caricatures from Palestine, which includes caricatures from his time in an Israeli prison. His subsequent graphic novel, A Power Born of Dreams, has been described as “an artistic triumph that will remain a lasting evidence to the spirit of the Palestinian people,” and won the 2022 Palestine Book Award.