Highlighting the undying spirit of Wael Al-Dahdouh, an Al Jazeera correspondent, and how his resilience in the face of tragedy has stirred empathy and solidarity among Arab writers and artists.
From the moment news broke about the martyrdom of several family members of Wael Al-Dahdouh, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Gaza, social media platforms were flooded with images of him standing resolutely beside the bodies of his loved ones. Arab intellectuals, writers, artists, and poets have been overwhelmingly vocal in expressing their condolences and support for Al-Dahdouh, making his utterance “Ma’lesh” one of the most widespread phrases on social media platforms.
The Arab artistic and literary communities have reacted diversely to the tragedy, offering an array of paintings, caricatures, poems, and statements condemning the brutal Israeli war machine that targets innocent civilians, including children and women in Gaza. Yemeni cartoonist Rashad Al-Samei posted a heartbreaking caricature showing Al-Dahdouh holding his martyred grandchild in his arms, wearing a cap labeled “TV,” underscoring the targeting of journalists’ families in this unjust war, which represents a form of collective annihilation amidst Western silence supporting Israeli savagery.
Less than 24 hours after losing four family members, while others were still trapped under the rubble, Al-Dahdouh returned to cover the barbaric Israeli attacks on Gaza. His unwavering commitment to his professional duty, despite his immense personal loss, epitomizes the image of a “courageous journalist” whose voice refuses to be silenced in narrating the ordeal of Gaza to the world.
Arab intellectuals, writers, and artists have expressed their solidarity with Al-Dahdouh and lauded his steadfastness and indomitable spirit in resuming his courageous professional duties amid the indiscriminate bombardment targeting human life and infrastructure in Gaza. Al Jazeera sought opinions from several Arab writers and intellectuals about their reactions to the martyrdom of Al-Dahdouh’s family. Jordanian-Palestinian poet Sultan Al-Qaisi noted, “No matter how intense the airstrikes, he remains calm.”
From the onset of the war, many have lost relatives, friends, colleagues, and family members, including about 18 from the family of my mother, who were displaced in 1948 from the city of Jaffa to Gaza. Each news of martyrdom is a magnification of pain, intensified by the acknowledgment that over 7,000 others have become martyrs, leaving 7,000 families grappling with loss, disability, or threats and devastation.
Anyone who knows Wael Al-Dahdouh, even if only through a television screen, notices his composure and self-control. This is not just a skill but a manifestation of his enduring resilience. His peaceful demeanor remained intact even as he inspected the bodies of his family members on live television. He rhetorically asked, “You’re taking revenge on us through our children? Ma’lesh!” The word “Ma’lesh” encapsulates his defiance against all those who support the enemy. For what weapons does Al-Dahdouh have? A camera and a microphone to expose the crimes of the occupation. And so, he returned promptly for retribution.
The resilience and courage exhibited by Wael Al-Dahdouh serve as a powerful message, not just to Palestinians but to the world at large. It is a testament to the undying human spirit that refuses to be crushed, even in the face of unspeakable tragedy.
