Che Guevara and the Iron Girl
by, Zahid Yaqub Aamir
Che Guevara was a renowned communist figure in the Cuban Revolution who proven to be a guerrilla leader in South America. He was executed by the Bolivian army in the year 1967 and regarded as a martyred hero by generations of leftists worldwide. Guevara’s image remains a prevalent icon of leftist radicalism and anti-imperialism. Still he is a hero and will be regarded as hero by the leftists, revolutionists.
In 1966, Che Guevara tried to incite the people of Bolivia to rebel against their government, but had little success. With only a small guerrilla force to support his efforts, Guevara was captured and killed in La Higuera by the Bolivian army on October 9, 1967.
Since his death, Guevara has become a legendary political figure. His name is often equated with rebellion, revolution, and socialism. Others, however, still remember that he could be ruthless and he ordered prisoners to be executed without trial in Cuba. Guevara’s life continues to be a subject of great public interest and been explored and portrayed in numerous books and films. Indeed he is regarded as a symbol of courage and determination.
Famous Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick, is the man who painted the renowned red and black print of Che Guevara. This is a symbol, an identical logo attached to Che Guevara. Now the Artist has his focus on a new hero, Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi.
Fitzpatrick has created a print of Tamimi holding a Palestinian flag above DC Comics’ Wonder Woman symbol. The strap-line reads ‘There is a real wonder woman”.
Ahed Tamimi is a Palestinian activist from the village of Nabi Salih in the occupied West Bank. She is best known for appearances in images and videos in which she confronts Israeli soldiers. Her supporters consider her a symbol of resistance against Israeli occupation in the West Bank, a courageous advocate for Palestinian autonomy, while her detractors argue her acts are staged performances aimed at discrediting Israel, a claim rejected by her family.
For Palestinians, Ms Tamimi is a symbol of resistance to Israeli occupation, but many Israelis regard her as a violent troublemaker seeking publicity. She, a 16 years child did teach a lesson to the mighty, brutal forces of Israel.
Palestinian iconic teen Ahed Tamimi, is being tried by an Israeli military court in secret proceedings in a case that has garnered massive international attention. Tamimi’s case is one of those of more than 300 Palestinian children who are currently imprisoned in Israeli jails, deprived of their childhood and future.
Ahed was arrested in December and has been denied bail by the presiding judge. Israel tries most Palestinians, including minors, in military courts which have a conviction rate of more than 99 percent.
Now the famous artist Fitzpatrick has painted the poster of Ahed. He feels that Ahed can be harmed by Israeli forces. He fears and the same the same has painted her as a symbol of courage an determination.
Ahed’s mother Narmin was also arrested by the Israeli soldiers in December during the overnight raid on their home in the Nabi Saleh village in the West bank. She is also being tried in a military court and faces charges related to incitement because she recorded a video of her daughter slapping the soldier. This video got viral on social media and feelings of sympathy for Ahed made her more prominent.
Last week, around 27 high-profile art and film figures, as well as athletes and academics, from the US have signed a petition calling for the release of Palestinian iconic teen Ahed Tamimi who faces 12 charges and is being tried in an Israeli military court behind closed doors.
Che Guevara and Ahed may not be compared with each other. Both have different political and cultural manifestations, motives, background and reinforcement. A 17 year child with tiny arms, without any “Arms and Munition” hits the face of brutality means alot. A super power and the so called mother of super powers hiding face and disgrace. However, the painter is same who gave new look and identification to the world of struggle and determination through an impactful pic. The pic of Che Guevara and now the iron girl “Ahed Tamimi”.
