Lakes International Comic Arts Festival Under Fire for Inviting Emad Hajjaj
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The Lakes International Comic Arts Festival is taking fire from British politicians for inviting Jordanian cartoonist Emad Hajjaj to be one of 13 guest cartoonists for their 2026 event in October. Critics, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are demanding public funding be withdrawn and the cartoonist be disinvited. At issue are two of Emad’s cartoons critical of Israel. Critics allege the cartoons are anti-Semitic.
According to The Telegraph (paywall, non-paywall) Julie Tait, the director of LICAF, invited Emad for to launch “an anthology of comics and cartoons about mental and physical disabilities” and she maintains the festival has never “never featured anti-Semitic cartoons or comic art at our festival”.
Meanwhile the Arts Council England, who subsidizes the festival, says it will review the matter.
This is not the first time the festival has drawn criticism for including cartoonists critical of Israel. In 2024, they invited Palestinian Mohammad Sabaaneh and like today, critics demanded a withdrawal of funding but Mohammad’s involvement went forward.
Cartoonists Rights has released a statement rejecting the Emad criticism.
Cartoonists Rights entirely rejects the characterisation of Emad Hajjaj – arguably Jordan’s foremost cartoonist and a past victim of prosecution, harassment, and censorship – made in the British press recently.
We stand with our friends at The Lakes International Comic Arts Festival (LICAF) who have endured years of abuse simply for their commitment to showcase the work of Middle Eastern and particularly Palestinian cartoonists.
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