30 years later, investigation into Naji al-Ali's murder reopened

Thirty years after his murder, British police have relaunched an investigation into Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali's shooting.

Authorities are hoping three decades after the murder, someone with information on the case will finally come forward, The New Arab reports. The police released never-before-seen intelligence surrounding the case and have appealed for any tips from the public.

The cartoonist was shot on July 22, 1987. He died in a hospital one month later at the age of 51.

Al-Ali was known for his honesty and boldness in portraying the truth on the Palestinian cause, making him one of the most prominent Arab cartoonists of all time. But his art didn't stop at targeting Israelis, as he readily turned his pen on Arab leaders as well. 

While his work gained him popularity in the Middle East and the world, Al-Ali also made a lot of enemies through his often stinging criticism of those in power. 

Speaking to Al Jazeera, the cartoonist's son said he believes there are prominent individuals that still have information to share.

"There were people active on the political scene at the time - who still are to a lesser extent - they have information which they did not share," his son said.

Dean Haydon, Commander of Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command, believes the case is definitely worth reopening thirty years later.

"The brutal murder of Mr. Al-Ali devastated his family and 30 years on they continue to feel the loss," Haydon said.

"A lot can change in 30 years: allegiances shift and people who were not willing to speak at the time of the murder may now be prepared to come forward with crucial information," he said.

He was elected president of the League of Arab Cartoonists and received the first prize in the Arab cartoonists' exhibitions held in Damascus. 

After his death, he was awarded the "Golden Pen of Freedom" in appreciation of all his work by the International Federation of Newspaper Publishers. 

Japanese daily, Asahi Newspaper, once wrote: "Naji Al-Ali draws using phosphoric acid," emphasizing how daring and straight to the point his drawings are.

Throughout his life as a political caricaturist, Al-Ali created more than 40,000 cartoons depicting the plight of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees. Having been a refugee himself, his drawings reflected a deep-rooted bitterness and reprisal toward the occupation. 

These caricatures continue to live on, remaining a symbol of the Palestinian resistance.