Liberation - Victory - Return, Palestine, 1978

AHMAD HEGAZI (unknown)

Translated: “Liberation - Victory - Return”

Although details of the artist remains unknown, Hegazi’s to Fatah's cause is evident through a series of striking posters. "Liberation - Victory - Return," captures the essence of Palestinian return and the iconography that supports it; an armed Palestinian woman wearing a traditional dress, being uplifted by the collective support of her community, subtly outlined within her silhouette. In one hand, she is holding a dove high and in the other, she firmly grasps a rifle, symbolizing the unyielding struggle for liberation. The rifle chronologically lists the years from 1965 to 1978 from bottom to top commemorating pivotal moments in Fatah's history, including its inaugural armed operation. Subsequently, the events throughout this decade played a pivotal role in catalyzing Palestinian armed resistance and garnering international support for the struggle to reclaim their homeland. Notably, the early 1970s witnessed the elevation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on the global stage, culminating in Chairman Yasser Arafat's historic address to the UN General Assembly. His impassioned plea for Palestinian sovereignty resonates through the ages: "I appeal to you to enable our people to establish national independent sovereignty over its own land. Today I have come bearing an olive branch and a freedom fighter's gun. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand." 

These potent symbols—the olive branch and the firearm—are central motifs within the poster, juxtaposed with bold Arabic script proclaiming "Liberation," "Victory," and "Return," accompanied by their English translations. Surrounding the central figure, rows of side profiles represent the solidarity and collective strength of the Palestinian people.

Liberation - Victory - Return is iconic of the essential symbols intertwined with the Palestinian return to home. 

poster: https://www.palestineposterproject.org/poster/liberation-victory-return

Citations: https://www.palquest.org/overallchronology?periods[]=176&nid=176

 https://www.palquest.org/en/node/31113

 https://www.palquest.org/en/highlight/165/battle-al-karama-1968

 https://www.palquest.org/overallchronology?periods[]=178&nid=178

 https://al-bab.com/albab-orig/albab/arab/docs/pal/arafat_gun_and_olive_branch.htm