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January 29, 2013
Rupert Murdoch Apologizes for Netanyahu Cartoon
Regarding Gerald Scarfe's cartoon in the Sunday Times, depicting Benjamin Netanyahu as building a wall against peace with Palestinian blood, the Telegraph reports:
Amid a storm of global condemnation, the 81 year-old media mogul offered the “major apology�, for what he described as an “offensive cartoon� published in one of his major newspapers.
His apology on Twitter came despite the Sunday newspaper launching a staunch defence of the work by leading political cartoonist Gerald Scarfe, 76.
The cartoon, which depicted Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, building a wall using what appeared to be the blood of Palestinians as cement, was published at the weekend, in the first full edition presided over by Martin Ivens, the new acting editor.
Jewish leaders said the cartoon, published on Holocaust Memorial Day with a caption: “Israel Elections: Will cementing peace continue?�, was anti-Semitic.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews complained to the Press Complaints Commission, arguing the cartoon, was “shockingly reminiscent� of pictures used in “the virulently anti-Semitic Arab press�. . .
Tonight the Australian-born News Corporation founder apologised, hours after stating that “what I have to say about Sunday Times cartoon will not be on Twitter. Sorry�.
But later in a post to more than 400,000 followers, Mr Murdoch said: “Gerald Scarfe has never reflected the opinions of The Sunday Times. Nevertheless, we owe [a] major apology for [the] grotesque, offensive cartoon.�
Posted by TS at January 29, 2013 02:21 AM
Comments
I'm not satisfied with this apology. I think Gerald Scarfe should be fired. I think the apology should be prominently placed in the newspaper. I want an explanation on how the editor allowed this cartoon to be published. I want a statement saying the Netanyahu is not a bloodthirsty warmonger as the cartoon suggests.Murdoch's apology falls far short of what is needed. Far short.
Posted by: Gina Friedlander at January 31, 2013 01:17 PM
I support the statement from Gina Friedlander. I too want an explanation from the editor as to "why" he allowed this "shameful cartoon to be published. Gerald Scarfe is a "coward" and should be fired!! Scarfe has no place in the "room" with credible and insightful journalists!!
Sorry, "apology" too little,too late!!!
Geoffrey Dreikman Lombard
Posted by: Geoffrey Dreikman Lombard at January 31, 2013 05:17 PM
I go along with the writer above. This is a
very weak apology. I sent a ltter to the London
Times and received a very sincere apology. This
one is weak. If the newspaper has any sense of
honor they will fire Gerald Scarfe, or anyone
who would put such an ugly picture of our
Israeli leader building a wall with Palestinian
blood, especially on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Posted by: Selma Soss at February 1, 2013 02:55 PM
The apology means little. What would be appropriate would be a cartoon with a theme showing the following:
A group of Arabs in traditional Arab Dress , are standing in a group on the Palestinian side of the security fence. They are armed with bombs and machine guns. Close by there is a group of English journalists. Each is displaying a Picket sign which shows a recent anti Israel cartoon. The signs say:
Mr. Netanyahu, tear down this wall ! Let these poor , persecuted, Arabs in so they can pursue rights granted by Alah to blow up Jewish homes, shops, and schools and murder those hateful Jews
Somthing like the foregoing would mean that you are serious. Otherwise, the apology is just more boiler plate.
Posted by: Alan Bernson at February 5, 2013 12:28 PM
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