The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called on The Economist magazine to issue a full-throated apology for publishing an anti-Semitic editorial cartoon depicting US President Obama as hindered in his efforts to reach an agreement with Iran by ‘’the machinations of a United States Congress under the control of a nefarious Jewish lobby.’’
The cartoon by Peter Schrank was run as an illustration to an article about the Iranian nuclear negotiations, and pulled later in the day in response to complaints from readers.
While the cartoon was removed from the article “A big gap to close,” Jan. 20, it still remained on the Economist’s Middle East and Africa landing page.
‘’The Economist cannot repair the damage of publishing an anti-Semitic image with only half-measures. They owe their readers a full-throated apology, which not only acknowledges the offensive nature of the cartoon but explains to readers why this image implying Jewish control was so outrageous and hurtful,’’ said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, in a statement. He continued : ‘’This was nothing less than a visual representation of the age-old anti-Semitic canard of Jewish control. And it conjures up yet another classic anti-Semitic myth -- the accusation that Jews have “dual loyalty” and will act only on behalf of Israel to the detriment of their own country.’’
‘’This is the stuff of the “Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion,” recycled for a modern-day audience with a wink and a nod to Professors Mearsheimer and Walt and Jimmy Carter,’’ Foxman added, stressing that The Economist ‘’already has a credibility problem when it comes to Israel.’’
‘’The fact that this cartoon passed editorial muster without raising red flags raises serious questions about its editorial judgment and the possibility of a more deeply ingrained bias against Israel,’’ he said.