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| Squabble continues over claims of antisemitism | Squabble continues over claims of antisemitism |
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| On 17 November, the Guardian published my letter against contributors' use of antisemitic imagery. This followed Steve Bell's cartoon depicting Tony Blair and William Hague as Binyamin Netanyahu's glove puppets (16 November). I said antisemitic "language may well be inadvertent" and explained why the puppets fitted this pattern. In reply, three letters (19 November) wrongly accused me of conflating all "criticism" of Israel as antisemitic and inferred that I lie on behalf of Israel. The last letter ended by calling me a "zealot": somewhat ironic, given the nature of my complaint. | On 17 November, the Guardian published my letter against contributors' use of antisemitic imagery. This followed Steve Bell's cartoon depicting Tony Blair and William Hague as Binyamin Netanyahu's glove puppets (16 November). I said antisemitic "language may well be inadvertent" and explained why the puppets fitted this pattern. In reply, three letters (19 November) wrongly accused me of conflating all "criticism" of Israel as antisemitic and inferred that I lie on behalf of Israel. The last letter ended by calling me a "zealot": somewhat ironic, given the nature of my complaint. |
| This squabble exemplifies, in miniature, the ugly exception that is being made of antisemitism within some anti-racist and anti-Israel circles. Offensive behaviour is routinely defended, mainstream Jewish views are grossly misrepresented and complainants are roundly abused. It is a disgrace. Mark Gardner Community Security Trust | This squabble exemplifies, in miniature, the ugly exception that is being made of antisemitism within some anti-racist and anti-Israel circles. Offensive behaviour is routinely defended, mainstream Jewish views are grossly misrepresented and complainants are roundly abused. It is a disgrace. Mark Gardner Community Security Trust |
| • Steve Bell's cartoon, as has been pointed out, recycled the antisemitic trope that the Jews control the political leaders of the world (see Anthony Joseph's book Trials of the Diaspora: A History of Anti-Semitism in England). Bell and your correspondents seem to be unable to accept that these same leaders mean it when they say Israel has the right of self-defence. Either they do not accept that Israel has the right to defend itself, a right which they would no doubt grant to every other state attacked so continuously, or they agree that that right exists and then throw up their hands in horror and opposition when it is put into action. Either way their position is illogical and reeks of anti-Israel and even antisemitic intent. Dr Tom Weinberger Jerusalem, Israel | • Steve Bell's cartoon, as has been pointed out, recycled the antisemitic trope that the Jews control the political leaders of the world (see Anthony Joseph's book Trials of the Diaspora: A History of Anti-Semitism in England). Bell and your correspondents seem to be unable to accept that these same leaders mean it when they say Israel has the right of self-defence. Either they do not accept that Israel has the right to defend itself, a right which they would no doubt grant to every other state attacked so continuously, or they agree that that right exists and then throw up their hands in horror and opposition when it is put into action. Either way their position is illogical and reeks of anti-Israel and even antisemitic intent. Dr Tom Weinberger Jerusalem, Israel |
| • I wholeheartedly endorse your correspondents' defence of Steve Bell. Puppetry is a favourite image of political cartoonists in numerous contexts. Criticism of Israeli government policy towards Palestinians is not, in itself, indicative of anti-Jewish prejudice. But Mark Gardner's "dog-eared card of antisemitism" is not the only one in the pack. Miriam Margolyes (et al) and Professor Brent (Letters, 19 November) conjure up another tired old canard by introducing themselves as Jews. Does their Jewishness add weight to their views? Just as we should be slow to deflect an argument on the basis that it may be antisemitic, similarly we should be slow to absorb one on the basis that the proponent's antecedents, culture or creed, may be Jewish. Res ipsa loquitur. Let the argument speak for itself. Jeremy Freedman London | • I wholeheartedly endorse your correspondents' defence of Steve Bell. Puppetry is a favourite image of political cartoonists in numerous contexts. Criticism of Israeli government policy towards Palestinians is not, in itself, indicative of anti-Jewish prejudice. But Mark Gardner's "dog-eared card of antisemitism" is not the only one in the pack. Miriam Margolyes (et al) and Professor Brent (Letters, 19 November) conjure up another tired old canard by introducing themselves as Jews. Does their Jewishness add weight to their views? Just as we should be slow to deflect an argument on the basis that it may be antisemitic, similarly we should be slow to absorb one on the basis that the proponent's antecedents, culture or creed, may be Jewish. Res ipsa loquitur. Let the argument speak for itself. Jeremy Freedman London |
| • We wish to voice our agreement with those who thought that Steve Bell's cartoon had slipped from being anti-Israel and anti-Zionism into antisemitism. It's true Mr Netanyahu surrounds himself with Israeli flags and symbolism, but this is not generally known in this country. Moreover, we found Steve Bell's cartoon from a few days earlier, disparaging Remembrance poppies, extremely distasteful and misguided. A lot of people died so that he might have freedom to express himself as he does. Ruth and Michael Grimsley Sheffield | • We wish to voice our agreement with those who thought that Steve Bell's cartoon had slipped from being anti-Israel and anti-Zionism into antisemitism. It's true Mr Netanyahu surrounds himself with Israeli flags and symbolism, but this is not generally known in this country. Moreover, we found Steve Bell's cartoon from a few days earlier, disparaging Remembrance poppies, extremely distasteful and misguided. A lot of people died so that he might have freedom to express himself as he does. Ruth and Michael Grimsley Sheffield |
| • Tony Blair, when prime minister, was depicted regularly by Steve Bell as the poodle of George Bush, and others have been similarly ridiculed. The cartoons are nothing more nor less than (quite brilliant) criticisms of the puppets themselves – they have nothing to do with antisemitism. Can we move on now? Jane Foxworthy Leicester | • Tony Blair, when prime minister, was depicted regularly by Steve Bell as the poodle of George Bush, and others have been similarly ridiculed. The cartoons are nothing more nor less than (quite brilliant) criticisms of the puppets themselves – they have nothing to do with antisemitism. Can we move on now? Jane Foxworthy Leicester |
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