JABBAR: Palestinian Resistance Fighters as Toy Soldiers
Words by NOUR DAHER
A week before the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, I sat down with Mohammad Zakaria, cultural practitioner, gentleman, and founder of 7Hills Skatepark, to discuss his latest project Jabbar, a series of miniature army figurines ranging from 5 to 12 cm in height. Though small in size, they carry the weight of a struggle and honor far greater than their material value. Unlike the toy soldiers we grew up with in the mid-20th century which were mostly based on US Army soldiers (with some renditions inspired by the British, German, and Soviet armies), Jabbar reimagines Palestinian resistance figures as symbols of everyday heroism, serving as a powerful means of preserving Palestinian collective memory.
By tapping into the nostalgic value that army figurines hold for adults, Zakaria reflects on their role in shaping early understanding of conflict and identity. As children, many of us held small, green, armed American soldiers in our hands – an image so normalized that our parents never questioned it. But today, our minds can no longer ignore its deeper implications.
“Jabbar was sparked by a photo of the late Dr Abdullah Abu Teen, who took up arms to defend against Israeli forces at a hospital in Jenin Camp in 2022, where he was ultimately martyred. Known now as the "fighting doctor" or "the battalion’s medic," he embodied a paradox, an icon of duality, practicing a profession dedicated to saving lives while simultaneously bearing arms to protect them. This profound image of heroism and sacrifice demanded to be immortalized.”
“A superhero never sets out to be one: they often hide their faces to carry on a normal life.”
After sitting with the idea for some time, Zakaria envisioned recreating the army figurines into Palestinian ones. The first figure to come to life was A’aed, an ordinary Palestinian fighter. A’aed’s name – Arabic for "he who returns" – captures the essence of the Palestinian dream.
To Zakaria, all Palestinians are fighters, united by a common struggle: the pursuit of a normal life on their land. Whether it’s a child walking to school, a journalist reporting the truth, or a baker opening their shop to sell some bread, each is resisting in their own way. Under occupation, the pursuit of the ordinary becomes an act of defiance.
“A superhero never sets out to be one: they often hide their faces to carry on a normal life,” Zakaria says and goes on to elaborate “Their actions aren’t driven by a desire for heroism but by the instinct to do what must be done in the face of injustice. In Palestine, this isn’t fiction, it’s daily life.” The simple wish to exist freely – to care for one’s family and community – becomes an act of resistance. And this willingness to endure and sacrifice for what needs to be done transforms ordinary people into extraordinary heroes every single day.
Aa’ed Abu Amro
The project has been met with enthusiasm from both longtime and new supporters of Palestinian resistance, each engaging with it in different ways. Zakaria shares that, for some foreigners, the figures carrying stones instead of rifles hold deep symbolism, representing both the resilience and courage of those who resist, as well as the notion that even the land itself is fighting back in stone. For those from the region, witnessing iconic names they grew up hearing – like Leila Khaled and more recent symbols of truth such as Shireen Abu Akleh – immortalized in physical forms, was deeply moving. Children inspired by the project and learning from it eagerly started working on their own lists of names and figures for Zakaria to create. As for me, the impact was immediate and striking, the sight of these figures, so familiar yet radically reimagined, felt like a reset. Holding them in my hands stirred a deep emotional and physical memory, reshaping the associations I once had with army figurines from my childhood and honoring our people.
Currently sold as collectibles, with 51% of proceeds donated to the Palestinian Red Crescent, the project aims to eventually be mass-produced and made more accessible and affordable. The figurines are 3D printed in Amman and beautifully packaged, with each figure’s story and documentation of their moment of resistance written on the back.
Through this simple yet powerful project, Zakaria redefines heroism carrying it beyond borders, glorifies the ordinary, and resists cultural erasure. In every aspect, the work stands in defiance of Ben Gurion’s infamous claim: “The old will die, the young will forget.”
