New York, NY, October 30, 2014 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called on the editors of the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz to retract and apologize for publishing a grossly offensive cartoon depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the pilot of an airplane headed toward the Twin Towers. The editorial cartoon, by Amos Biderman, apparently attempts to analogize Mr. Netanyahu’s behavior in his diplomatic relations with the U.S. with the actions of the terrorists responsible for the 9/11 terror attacks.
Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:
We were shocked and outraged at Haaretz’s decision to publish a cartoon by Amos Biderman depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flying an airplane, representing the State of Israel, into one of the Twin Towers. We call on Haaretz to issue a public apology and to retract this grossly offensive cartoon.
The cartoon in question is offensive on many levels. Not only does it completely misrepresent any tensions which may current exist between the U.S. government and Mr. Netanyahu, it disrespects the memories of thousands of innocent Americans and others who tragically perished on 9/11, and the deep pain and trauma caused by the horrific attacks.
Furthermore, as anti-Semitic conspiracy theories charging that Israel and/or Jews were behind the attacks are still believed by large swaths of the Muslim world, it is particularly jarring and incredibility irresponsible that an Israeli newspaper, especially one whose journalistic standards are widely respected, would resort to publishing such a highly offensive stereotype in the name of political satire.