Anti Israel, anti Islamist cartoons keep attracting the usual sorts of arguements which would otherwise be used to oppress freedom of expressions.
Karim Doumar, senior editorial staff of the University of California’s student newspaper issued an apology for publishing a cartoon by Joel Mayorga last week criticising Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz.The paper eventually withdrew the cartoon evidently under presssure from the UC Berkeley Chancellor.Joel's cartoon featured Dershowitz, who was due to give a speech at the university titled “The Liberal Case for Israel,” hiding behind a wall of “liberalism” with a globe-shaped body.In his hand is an IDF soldier who has just shot a Palestinian and underneath his foot a flattened body lies next to a Palestinian flag.
The first draft of the Daily Californian‘s editor’s note did not contain an apology.The editor’s note was then updated, A third version was then published that also included a retraction.
In a letter to the editor, UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ wrote that the cartoon was “offensive, appalling and deeply disappointing” and added that “its anti-Semitic imagery connects directly to the centuries-old ‘blood libel’ that falsely accused Jews of engaging in ritual murder.”
Though the daily Californian issued an apology and withdrew the cartoon; not that everyone agreed with the chancellor.
''Joel
is absolutely correct. The cartoon was bitterly critical of Dershowitz
and Israel but did not remotely resemble Nazi cartoons of Jews with
exaggerated features. Even if it had been wrong on substance, it was
not critical of Jews at all. But it was not wrong on substance. Israel
has killed many thousands of civilians since its founding, and
Dershowitz has vigorously supported, defended, and enabled such state
terrorism.''
The other controversial cartoon was in the recent cover of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The front page cartoon depicts two people lying on the ground in a pool of blood after having been run over by a white van with the caption "Islam is a religion of peace..... eternal".The Independent reported as following,
''The cartoon aims to reflect on the terror attack which unfolded in the
tourist city of Barcelona when a white van ploughed into people on La Rambla, killing
13 people and injuring more than 100 others.
A dozen extremists of Moroccan origin are believed to have plotted the attack.
Critics of the magazine have seen the cover as suggesting Islam is an inherently violent religion.
The drawing has once more divided opinions between those who believe the magazine is a bastion of free speech and those who argue repeated attacks on Islam and the latest cartoons fuel Islamophobia.
The cartoon became one of the top trending topics in France with many arguing that Charlie Hebdo had gone too far, describing the drawing as "Islamophobic", "racist" and "revolting".
Journalist Mabrouk Sonia ✔ @SoMabrouk wrote
In an editorial inside the magazine, Charlie Hebdo's editor Laurent Sourisseau known as "Riss" explained his editorial choice by saying experts and policy-makers are avoiding asking hard questions out of concern for moderate Muslims."The debates and questions about the role of religion and in particular the role of Islam in these attacks have completely disappeared," he wrote.
There is a notable difference between the editor of The Daily Californian, Mr Karim Doumar and the editor of Charlie Hebdo, Mr Laurent Sourisseau.In troubled water Mr Karim doesn't stand behind his staff and action, whereas Mr Laurent and his slain ex colleagues would not only stand up to their acts, but wouldn't retract even when threatened fatally.That's why Charlie Hebdo editors get the PEN award for brave journalism and Mr Karim would'nt even qualify.
Source : Charlie Hebdo, The Independent, The Daily Californian, BFM TV
The other controversial cartoon was in the recent cover of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The front page cartoon depicts two people lying on the ground in a pool of blood after having been run over by a white van with the caption "Islam is a religion of peace..... eternal".The Independent reported as following,
A dozen extremists of Moroccan origin are believed to have plotted the attack.
Critics of the magazine have seen the cover as suggesting Islam is an inherently violent religion.
The drawing has once more divided opinions between those who believe the magazine is a bastion of free speech and those who argue repeated attacks on Islam and the latest cartoons fuel Islamophobia.
The cartoon became one of the top trending topics in France with many arguing that Charlie Hebdo had gone too far, describing the drawing as "Islamophobic", "racist" and "revolting".
Journalist Mabrouk Sonia ✔ @SoMabrouk wrote
''J'aime l'islam qu'on m'a inculqué.Je dénonce son ignoble instrumentalisation par les terroristes.
Je respecte la liberté de TOUT caricaturer.''
Je respecte la liberté de TOUT caricaturer.''
Which translates, "I love the Islam that I've been taught. I denounce its vile appropriation by terrorists who use it for their own purpose. I respect
the freedom to caricature everything."
In a TV show Socialist MP Stephane Le Foll warned, "When you're a journalist you need to exercise restraint because making these associations can be used by other people,"
In an editorial inside the magazine, Charlie Hebdo's editor Laurent Sourisseau known as "Riss" explained his editorial choice by saying experts and policy-makers are avoiding asking hard questions out of concern for moderate Muslims."The debates and questions about the role of religion and in particular the role of Islam in these attacks have completely disappeared," he wrote.
There is a notable difference between the editor of The Daily Californian, Mr Karim Doumar and the editor of Charlie Hebdo, Mr Laurent Sourisseau.In troubled water Mr Karim doesn't stand behind his staff and action, whereas Mr Laurent and his slain ex colleagues would not only stand up to their acts, but wouldn't retract even when threatened fatally.That's why Charlie Hebdo editors get the PEN award for brave journalism and Mr Karim would'nt even qualify.
Source : Charlie Hebdo, The Independent, The Daily Californian, BFM TV
