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Rupert Murdoch apologises over Gerald Scarfe cartoon Rupert Murdoch apologises over Gerald Scarfe cartoon
(35 minutes later)
Rupert Murdoch has apologised for a "grotesque, offensive cartoon" printed in the Sunday Times that has led to complaints of anti-Semitism.Rupert Murdoch has apologised for a "grotesque, offensive cartoon" printed in the Sunday Times that has led to complaints of anti-Semitism.
The cartoon, by Gerald Scarfe, appears to depict Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu building a brick wall containing the blood and limbs of Palestinians.The cartoon, by Gerald Scarfe, appears to depict Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu building a brick wall containing the blood and limbs of Palestinians.
It has the text: "Israeli elections. Will cementing peace continue?" Scarfe has expressed regret over its publication on Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said it had complained to the Press Complaints Commission.The Board of Deputies of British Jews said it had complained to the Press Complaints Commission.
It said the cartoon was "shockingly reminiscent of the blood libel imagery more usually found in parts of the virulently anti-Semitic Arab press". The cartoon was captioned: "Israeli elections. Will cementing peace continue?"
In a message to the Jewish Chronicle reportedly denying permission to reprint the cartoon, Mr Scarfe is quoted as saying that he "very much regrets" the timing of the cartoon.
He had apparently been unaware that Sunday was Holocaust Memorial Day.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the cartoon was "shockingly reminiscent of the blood libel imagery more usually found in parts of the virulently anti-Semitic Arab press".
It added: "Its use is all the more disgusting on Holocaust Memorial Day, given the similar tropes levelled against Jews by the Nazis."It added: "Its use is all the more disgusting on Holocaust Memorial Day, given the similar tropes levelled against Jews by the Nazis."
The term "blood libel" refers to myths dating back to the Middle Ages that Jews murder children to use their blood during religious rituals.The term "blood libel" refers to myths dating back to the Middle Ages that Jews murder children to use their blood during religious rituals.
Scarfe told the Jewish Chronicle that he "very much regrets" the timing of the cartoon, and that he had not been aware it was Holocaust Memorial Day.
Israel's UK ambassador Daniel Taub said: "The image of Israel's security barrier, which is saving the lives of both Jews and Arabs from suicide bombers, being built from Palestinian blood and bodies is baseless and outrageous.Israel's UK ambassador Daniel Taub said: "The image of Israel's security barrier, which is saving the lives of both Jews and Arabs from suicide bombers, being built from Palestinian blood and bodies is baseless and outrageous.
"The use of vicious motifs echoing those used to demonize Jews in the past is particularly shocking and hurtful on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but the crude and shallow hatred of this cartoon should render it totally unacceptable on any day of the year.""The use of vicious motifs echoing those used to demonize Jews in the past is particularly shocking and hurtful on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but the crude and shallow hatred of this cartoon should render it totally unacceptable on any day of the year."
Mr Murdoch wrote in a tweet: "Gerald Scarfe has never reflected the opinions of the Sunday Times. Nevertheless, we owe major apology for grotesque, offensive cartoon."Mr Murdoch wrote in a tweet: "Gerald Scarfe has never reflected the opinions of the Sunday Times. Nevertheless, we owe major apology for grotesque, offensive cartoon."
The paper's acting editor, Martin Ivens, said in a statement that insulting the memory of Holocaust victims was "the last thing I or anyone connected with the Sunday Times would countenance".The paper's acting editor, Martin Ivens, said in a statement that insulting the memory of Holocaust victims was "the last thing I or anyone connected with the Sunday Times would countenance".
"The paper has long written strongly in defence of Israel and its security concerns, as have I as a columnist," he said."The paper has long written strongly in defence of Israel and its security concerns, as have I as a columnist," he said.
"We are, however, reminded of the sensitivities in this area by the reaction to the cartoon, and I will, of course, bear them very carefully in mind in future.""We are, however, reminded of the sensitivities in this area by the reaction to the cartoon, and I will, of course, bear them very carefully in mind in future."
Mr Ivens is set to meet representatives of the Jewish community this week to discuss the controversy.Mr Ivens is set to meet representatives of the Jewish community this week to discuss the controversy.
In a statement, the Sunday Times said the cartoon was aimed at Mr Netanyahu and his policies, not at Israel or Jewish people.In a statement, the Sunday Times said the cartoon was aimed at Mr Netanyahu and his policies, not at Israel or Jewish people.
Veteran satirist Scarfe has been the Sunday Times' political cartoonist since 1967.Veteran satirist Scarfe has been the Sunday Times' political cartoonist since 1967.