Palestinian humorous art as an agentic force

Palestinian humor has a significant influence on how people deal with social suffering and political violence. The article argues that humor serves as an agentic force, which manifests Palestinians’ agency under dire conditions that is amplified through the uses of online networks and platforms. Exploring the work of Palestinian artist Amer Shomali, the article relies on anthropological approaches to social suffering and agency and links them with theories of humor. Shomali's wit is more than a sudden reaction to uncertainty and calamity; rather, it can be considered as a tool of resistance to cope with the Israeli settler colonialism and its consequences. The article shows that the narratives that emerge through his work reflect various layers of people's agency and the reality of Palestinians’ lives.