I would like to draw your attention to a letter in the Independent on Sunday on 3 February about the Gerald Scarfe cartoon published in the Sunday Times the previous weekend. It is one of the best arguments I have read on the abuse of the term anti-Semitic and attacks Israel’s actions against the Palestinians. It comes from Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods, Brighton.
I felt the letter was quite rightly saying that we should not call denouncement of the Israeli state’s actions against the Palestinians anti-Semitic. It is anti the actions of the Israeli state. All too often those speaking out against the harsh treatment of the Palestinians by Israel are accused of anti-Semitism.
Admittedly it was unfortunate that the cartoon was published on Holocaust Day, however its intention was to criticise the Israeli state and not the Jewish race.
While Israel continues to ignore UN agreements and build its walls and settlements, expanding its occupation and constraining the Palestinians, the chance of a two-state solution and peace in the Middle East becomes less and less likely, a situation that could be catastrophic for all of us.
J9
—-
To read the letter in full click here.
To see the Sunday Times apology for the Gerald Scarfe cartoon, click here.
To read Gerald Scarfe’s statement on the cartoon, click here.
