From Palestine: Comic Art from Gaza and the West Bank Debuts at LICAF 2025

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF) is delighted to announce its "From Palestine" project. This includes a programming strand at its annual comics gathering in Bowness-on-Windermere later this month, from September 26th to 28th, 2025.

Comic Art from Gaza and the West Bank Launches at LICAF 2025

The Festival will see the launch of three new comics by artists from Gaza, to be published by LICAF. It follows up on the previous publication of the highly acclaimed collection of cartoons, Safaa and the Tent, by Safaa Odah, translated by Nada Hodali.

All four titles will be on sale at the Festival. All profits from the sale of these works will go to the creators.

Palestinian cartoonist and caricaturist Mohammad Sabaaneh, an active member of the Cartoon Movement, will launch his book, 30 Seconds from Gaza, in English. The event over the weekend will also feature the launch of the Qusasat comics anthology, Strategies of Surviving by Abod Nasser, and Waiting Rituals by Khaled Jarada.

At a summer camp near Bethlehem in August 2025, 13 young Palestinian artists created a new digital anthology called Qusasat ("Snippets"). This project was co-led by Mollie Ray from the UK and Basel Naser from Palestine. This was the culmination of a new collaboration between LICAF and the Power Group in Bethlehem, supported by The Amos Trust.

The anthology includes the work of:

• Hana Ibrahim Mhani
• Dalia Nidal Dar Abed Alhai
• Tuleen Hanna Asmari
• Shahd Izz Aldeen Alruzze
• Nermin Anees Naifeh
• Natalie Alz
• Karma Ihab Barghothi
• Ward Nayef Al-Hantouli
• Majd Rafat Wahbeh
• Abdalrahim Mutaz Zalloum
• Mohammad Majed Al-Raie
• Dima Iyas Nassar.

Sliman Mukarker, co-founder of Power, will be on stage to help launch this brilliant new anthology. Each audience member will receive a free copy of the anthology.

Meet the Palestinian Creators Behind the Comics

Abod Nasser's "Strategies of Surviving"

Strategies of Surviving is a powerful work by talented animator and illustrator Abod Nasser, which will only be available in very limited numbers. He says of his work that his sketches are not meant to evoke pity "nor to scenes of war and suffering", but are about the Gazan in understanding life… "When he was forced to reinvent it from scratch."

"This special edition is a wonderful opportunity to show Gazans as dreamers, not just as breaking news," says Abod Nasser. "I am truly grateful for this opportunity."

Khaled Jarada's "Waiting Rituals"

LICAF is also proud to have worked with Khaled Jarada, a leading figure in the Palestinian comics scene. Originally from Gaza, he is now based in Paris. He will join the event online to discuss his new comic, Waiting Rituals. This comic is a carefully constructed "concertina comic' mentored by UK artist Lucy Sullivan.

Mohammad Sabaaneh's "30 Seconds from Gaza"

Award-winning cartoonist Mohammad Sabaaneh will discuss his recent book, "30 Seconds from Gaza," published in English by Olive Branch Press. The book will be officially launched at LICAF during this event hosted by Paul Gravett.

Capturing and drawing scenes from videos posted on social media was a decision Sabaaneh made as a way to archive moments and information that are expected to be banned and erased later. Sabaaneh's political cartoons portray a world in which injustice is unending, but so is the resilience of the Palestinian people. 30 Seconds from Gaza is an artistic triumph and a powerful testament to Palestinian sumud (steadfastness). It is proof of art's capacity to make visible what oppressors want the world to forget.

LICAF's Commitment to Diverse Global Voices

Safaa and the Tent are available in limited copies of the first edition at the Festival and through the LICAF Etsy store. Qusasat and Waiting Rituals are published by the Lakes International Comic Art Festival and can be purchased via From the Festival.

All profits from the sale of the books published will go to the comic creators involved.

"We're honoured to present these powerful works by such a range of Palestinian talents at a very troubled time. LICAF has highlighted the challenging and important work of a wide range of diverse creators since its launch in 2013, and this year is no different."

Tickets for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival 2025 are on sale here.