Appalling, Offensive, Jew-hatred: Cathy Wilcox Cartoon Denounced
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A Cathy Wilcox editorial cartoon about the Australian governments actions investigating the Bondi Beach killings has caused a backlash and is being targeted as antisemitic.
A cartoon in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers today portraying demands for a royal commission into the Bondi Beach massacre as being orchestrated by political and media forces was slammed as anti-Semitic by leading Jewish figures, including one who was shot in the terrorist attack.
The cartoon repeats a trope about Jews repeated over the centuries that they exercise power across society through their influence over political institutions and media organisations, Jewish leaders said. The Age and Herald are owned by Nine Entertainment Co.
A Sydney Morning Herald cartoon by Cathy Wilcox depicting calls for a Bondi Beach attack inquiry as Netanyahu-orchestrated has sparked widespread condemnation from Jewish leaders, politicians, and survivors who accuse it of antisemitism.
The cartoon, drawn by veteran artist Cathy Wilcox, portrays calls for a federal inquiry into the attack as a manipulated “grassroots” movement influenced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, prompting demands for apologies from Jewish community leaders, politicians, and survivors.
From The Australian (or here):
The cartoon, illustrated by Cathy Wilcox, depicts Nationals leader David Littleproud, Sussan Ley, Liberal senator Jacinta Price, former prime minister John Howard, anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal and News Corporation chairman emeritus Rupert Murdoch, who appear to hold campaigners for a royal commission into the beachside massacre above their heads on a grass patch.
Behind the leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to bang a drum. The words “grass roots” appear at the top of the image.
Arsen Ostrovsky, who was injured during the attack, suggested the cartoon was an “unadulterated form of Jew hatred”.
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age has printed reactions to the cartoon.
From The Morning Herald (or here):
I am flabbergasted that Cathy Wilcox casually dismisses those calling for a royal commission into the Bondi killings as a right-wing, Netanyahu-led conspiracy. It demeans those from all sides of politics who believe in good faith that it is the right thing to do, and is a slap in the face for the families of the dead who asked for it.
From The Age (or here):
Cathy Wilcox’s cartoon (7/1) is disgraceful for three reasons:
First, it implies that the calls for a royal commission after the Bondi massacre is a machination of Benjamin Netanyahu … Second, it implies that a malign external power is behind the calls for a royal commission. After the Christchurch massacre no one stated that the ″Muslim lobby″ or international Muslim leaders influenced Jacinda Ardern’s swift call for a royal commission … Third, the cartoon depicts the ancient antisemitic trope that international Jews are interfering with local politics. This is blatant antisemitic racism.
The cartoon, inked by Nine newspapers veteran illustrator Cathy Wilcox, showed Australians of different occupations calling for a Commonwealth Royal Commission, including “sports greats” and “Labor has-beens”.
Holding up the grass upon which the figures were picketing, were the likeness of several political figures including John Howard and Sussan Ley, marching to the beat of what appeared to be Benjamin Netanyahu’s drum.
Neither the newspapers nor Cathy Wilcox have yet responded to the furor that I am aware of.
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