‘Funny’ Anti-Gaddafi Cartoons Reveal Rebel Racism, Anti-Semitism
In the caricature in the bottom left of the below photo, Gaddafi has black skin. He also has fangs.
(Source: Reuters)
In a photo-montage just below it, he appears to be wearing side-curls in the style of an orthodox Jew. Here is a somewhat closer look.
Note too the caricature in the upper-right hand corner. Jason Koutsoukis explains that it shows Gaddafi unleashing one of his alleged African mercenaries. Except that in the meanwhile someone has seen fit to add Stars of David on Gaddafi’s hat and robe. Here is a closer look.
The caricaturing of Gaddafi appears to have been officially encouraged by the new authorities in Benghazi. Some of the earliest drawings on paper were reportedly posted around the so-called “media center” set-up by rebel officials for foreign journalists. (See here, for instance.)
One might have thought that with official sponsorship and the increasing attention of the international media, the expressions of anti-Semitism and/or “anti-Zionism” would have diminished. But precisely the opposite appears to have occurred. Stars of David abound in the caricatures of Gaddafi. They are so prevalent that I can here only provide a small selection to illustrate the point.
(Source: Reuters)
(Source: NPR)
(Source: Reuters)
Here is an earlier mural, dating from the first week of the rebellion, but that has typically been shown in photos that render the Star of David difficult to see.
(Source: AP)
Note too the dollars: a less frequent but also regular motif in the caricatures.
The presence of the Stars of David in the caricatures has rarely provoked comment in the traditional media, let alone any effort at explanation. In the blog post containing his photos, Jason Koutsoukis notes, “There is a widely held perception in Libya that Gaddafi is the son of Jewish parents and is a secret ally of The State of Israel.” Despite the massive presence of Western journalists in Benghazi, few others appear willing to broach, much less investigate the subject.
Moreover, just as eastern Libyan cartoonists have resorted to racist stereotypes in caricaturing Gaddafi, so too have they employed anti-Semitic ones. Here is an example in which Gaddafi is depicted as an orthodox Jew.
It is taken from the collection published by National Public Radio. According to the accompanying blurb, the NPR correspondent spotted the cartoons near “the old courthouse in Benghazi, now the Information Ministry, where journalists come for their press credentials.”
Sometimes the racist and anti-Semitic motifs are combined. This last picture, for instance, can be regarded as a sort of racist/anti-Semitic “tour de force.” It shows a vampire Gaddafi with a Star of David emblazoned on his robe accompanied by an African tribesman with horns.
(Source: Reuters)
Note too that the tribesman and Gaddafi sport nearly identical afros, thus again underscoring the “African-ness” of Gaddafi in the eyes of his opponents.
“The Rebels are Raaaaacist!”
Libyans have been kept down for a long time. An oppressed culture doesn’t produce sophisticated, educated, tasteful revolutionaries. Like the man once said, “Democracy is Messy.”
Democracy is mob rule. America’s Founders specifically wanted to avoid the possibility of democracy.
Mob rule never produces anything other than death and destruction, followed by renewed (and generally worsened) tyranny.
In this case, the mob in question is being led by the North African branch of al Qaeda.
Nothing good will come of this.
“The Rebels are Raaaaacist!” – except in this case, they are.
“The man” who said that was, as usual, indulging the Western habit of making polite excuses. What he should have said was “Arab Muslims are worthless scum who can never be housetrained.” Lots of oppressed cultures manage to maintain dignity and humanity – the very “Africans” being mocked by the high and mighty sons of Allah managed to get through their own revolution in America without crapping on the kitchen table in front of reporters.
But don’t ch’ya know, Obama said they were “freedom fighters” and only wanted to depose Gaddafi. Now we’re STUCK with these morons because if Gaddafi wins now, it will be a huge military defeat for NATO. It will make NATO a laughing stock and it will make Gaddafi a hero in the arab world for standing up to both the Europeans and the United States. Talk about “Too big to fail,” the “rebels” now are too important to fail. And these are the jerks we’re married to. Great going, Mr. Obama. Perhaps the next time you may want to do a Google search on the guys you’re supporting in a civil war before you get knee deep into it. We never should have gotten involved in this mess.
Somewhere in the Hadith the pedophile mohamad refers to black Africans as “raisin heads.”. Islamic racism as well as it’s anti-semitism began with islam’s founder.
If you read history, you will find that the europeans are the ones who have long history of racism…enslaving Africans, genociding the jewish…… and alot more in more recent and more ancient history. if you do a proper search in Hadith and Quran, I bet you that you will find islam the most un-racist religion. my friend, be honest to yourself and find some one who you trust and has converted to islam or find someone from your own religion who have converted and ask him to show you specific places of justice and equlaity concept in Islam. I will quote one hadith and one verse and you can re-search them. Hadith says ( no difference “what so ever” between arab and non-arab except for how obedient to god the guy is) and the verse from Surah Hojorat verse 49:13 (O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.)
Usually after 3 strikes you’re out.
I’d like to hear a discussion on this graffiti, the “Hunky Jesus” contest and a “Hunky Jew” contest and how they do or don’t occupy the same philosophical space and the double standards associated with accepting them or not depending on whether you’re the target or not. Do we have special and un-special people in the mix?
Because, when it comes to the “Hunky Jesus” contest isn’t it:
“Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.”
Isn’t it the same idea?
What is satire and what is hate? Is an offensive disdain at the bottom of satire – not?
What constitutes actual harm and when does satire cross over into hate speech or propaganda? Do words kill. Did Sayd Qutb enable 9/11? Joseph Massad at Columbia and his innuendos that Mossad blew up the Christian church on New Year’s Eve in Alexandria, Egypt?
Are we looking out for each other, ourselves? Does the ADL care about the Armenian holocaust? Do the Armenians care about the Jewish holocaust.
Here’s a clue: this is America and it’s full of ganders and kettle and we must stand together and connect the dots.
Again another hit out of the park, not struck out. Qadafis alignment with Africans and support of them cannot be denied but the jewish caricatures is typical arab fantasy and jew obsession. At least it had some relevance in egypt. Either way its appeals to primitive tribal instincts to hate the outsider.
In identifying tribal racism in pop art in Libya Rosenthal enlightens us on the passions of those who Americans have chosen to side with in a fight which is not ours. He reveals impulses in the rebel community that are diametrically opposed to Americas cultural passions over the past 40 years. Do we really want these guys to run a country? Americans want to know who the racists are in any fight because we dont like racism and have made it our cause celebre second to none in the age of Obama, who came to power due to it. This stuff has more appeal to liberals but its still valid when choosing features of our natural allies, which these guys aint. These days if the gander calls the ketle black he gets fed to the other geese.
Hunky Jesus is tolerated minority hatred against the majority. It is the inverse of Libyan majority rebels hating outsiders which is the natural situation in traditional tribal conflict.
Hunky Jewish contest?
Harrison Ford is 1/2 Jewish. His mom which makes him technically a Jew. Mrs. Spindok thinks him qualified and I respect her opinion on such matters.
Anyway a hunky Jesus contest is technically a hunky Jewish contest since there is a sort of dual claim.
Half jewish? What the hell is that? There is no such thing as religious DNA. When are people going to quit trying to make a race out this particular religious group? The lunacy has to stop.
That’s exactly what Jesus was trying to tell the world. Fortunately, some listened.
Larsen,
I am not sure what your comment means about fortunately some listened.
Is Christianity part of the world and part of g-d’s plan? That is obvious. Again, Jews do not think that Christians need to do anything other that follow their own faith. It is fine as it is. Unlike some other religions Jews do not think that everyone needs to be Jewish to accept some divine reward or salvation.
Fine and good.
I have heard this nonsense about anti semitism before. It is the etymological fallacy. The error is assuming that origin of a word is the same as it’s meaning in communication. They are not the same thing. It is a common but insubstantial deflection often used by anti Semites. I am sure you would not want to fall into such a narrow trap.
Spindok
Heh
It’s a joke. From Adam sandler’s channukah song
“We got ann landers and her sister dear abby,
Harrison fords a quarter jewish–not too shabby! ”
Only I said half because apparently his Mom is Jewish.
Actually in Jewish law if your mother is Jewish, you are. In reality many people with one Jewish parent consider themselves half Jewish or part by descent. Lineage is not the same thing as DNA. Many people will say they are part Irish or Italian or something.
The part about Jesus as a Jew is not intended as a serious comment of theology. You guys need to lighten up. Jews have no problem with Christianity and fact is he was a Jew as were his early followers. Everyone knows this.
Do I need to go further for the satire impaired?
I like zombies posts because she is willing to push the limit on what people do in real time. To show some of the silliness, and even these folks do not pretend they are doing anything serious, is a good thing. If the point is double standards that is well taken. Attacks on Christianity seem to have no limits. Attacks on Muslims have extreme limits. Jews less but still sensitive. Race is at another point where standards are lopsided.
This is a big problem in our world today. Look at obamas nuanced statement which requires an obligatory pass about Bin Laden as not a true Muslim while according his corpse full Muslim burial rites.
Always Zombie reports excellent photojournalism without excessive tripe. You see what is there and with a sense of humor and irony.
Is that what you wanted?
That’s FLAUNTING their prejudice…
How much worse can it get? A lot!! We are now specifically targeting The Daffy! That’s the purpose of the drones. The Islamists can win only if we KILL The Daffy!!! So, kill him we shall. Mean while, there is nothing to be seen in Syria, move along! And, while you’re at it keep quiet.
Boff
then you haven’t seen the Marie-Antoinette carricatures !
and Kadhafi isn’t less antisemit than the other Arab crowds
one wonder why suddenly Kadhafi is seen as a Saint !
Funny, PMSNBC woulda been all over people if a 1/1000 of a whiff of this kind of cr@p popped up in Tea Party circles.
In that one picture with two people, I thought it Gaddafi taking mohammad from behind, but I will never be sure because no one knows what mohammad looks like!
I would like to take issue at this attack and labeling of the rebels or freedom fighters against Gaddafi.
1. Whatever cartoons are shown are not officially sanctioned, nor is there a stable government with policies, courts, social programs, etc.. Everything is fluid, and they have not even achieved their independence yet. So the cartoons are the responsibility of individuas and it is not fair to label the rebels as racist.
2. Apart from a couple of cartoons that may insinuate racist innuendos, most of them are political satire within the context of events. Gaddafi called himself king of kings of Africa, and African heads of state are defending him, which angered many Libyans. To call someone a monkey in the Libyan or Arab culture is an insult whether he is white, black or in between. It is not a racist insult, and has nothing to do with racism, unless we are fishing for labels for the rebels.
3. Gaddafi with the star of David is not racist. There were many reports of Gaddafi was getting support from Israel. People labeled Gaddafi as a stooge of Israel, and thus the star of David. It is no secret that Israel is considered an enemy of the Arab people, not for racist reasons against jews, but because of Israel’s confiscation of Palestinian land, and for their barbaric treatment of Palestinians. Hating Israels policies of apartheid and brutality is not racism my friend. The same position would be valid if they were Christians, Hindu, or atheists. I would argue that Israel is racist against Arabs, as it has democracy for jews, and treats Arabs like dirt. And just a reminder, Arabs are semites, so you cannot say they are anti semites..!!!
Although many of these cartoons could be labeled as offensive, I wouldn’t call them racist. Sorry..
“It is no secret that Israel is considered an enemy of the Arab people, not for racist reasons against jews, but because of Israel’s confiscation of Palestinian land, and for their barbaric treatment of Palestinians. Hating Israels policies of apartheid and brutality is not racism my friend.”
When your assumptions about those policies don’t jive with reality, you’re soaking up loads of propaganda. That propaganda is racist. Israel never confiscated Palestinian land. The Jews who lived in that region were given that land in 1948 by the UN and the British who conquered it from the Ottoman Turks. That’s not confiscation by Israel.
The subsequent war in 1967 was an attack by neighboring nations against the very existence of the state of Israel. Israel conquered that territory to prevent further attacks. Israel’s treatment of the so-called Palestinians is reasonable, ethical, and makes every attempt at peace. What would you think of neighbors who had a habit of lobbing thousands of grenades and rockets across the border? The only territory they officially annexed was the city of Jerusalem. Call it a spoil of war. It has been so for every civilization that conquered the region even back before recorded history. The rest of the land is open to negotiation, and has been negotiated successfully with Egypt.
You can think what you want about the other issues, but the facts on the ground say otherwise. I’ll let you off on calling your attitudes racist, but they are indeed ignorant. You wouldn’t apply this standard of behavior to any other country on earth. Why Israel?
To Richard Long please tell me what government in this world is stable!
Anti-semitism is like porn, we know it when we see it. Jewish Star-Dollar bills => anti-semitism. Jewish-Star=>Fangs, blood=>anti-semitism. They’re not calling Gaddafi Jewish “in a good way.”
Your remark that Arabs as semitic peoples can’t be anti-semites indicates that yourself are an anti-semite. Your remark is an ignorant remark indicating that either you are stupid or you think that we are stupid. I assume you can access an English dictionary and can look up the definition of anti-semitism, where you will learn that it means anti-Jew, as if you didn’t already know that. I think you’ll agree that Arabs can be anti-Jew.
It’s not ignorant to object to the term “anti-semitism”. Wikipedia documents the confusion:
WP:”Some scholars favor the unhyphenated form antisemitism to avoid possible confusion involving whether the term refers specifically to Jews, or to Semitic-language speakers as a whole.” If confusion exists, sensible people will try to avoid the word.
The word is deliberately confusing and a total red-herring. The danger of using the word is that it obscures the real reason that Muslims hate Jews: Jews refuse to submit to Islam.
The only good thing about these cartoons is that few if any Jews still live in that part of the world.
While these are just cartoons, and people are freely expressing themselves, one should be careful to note against whom they’re directing their hate. This is the beginning of a racist group of thugs. There may not be any Jews available, but a substitute “Jew” is always possible.
Evidence what the ISI is saying about the “Zionist States of America.”
I think we should give Richard Long a break. Just look at what the Israelis have done in the past 24 hours.
Contrary to all international law they commited an illegal extrajudical assasination in someone elses territory. The individual in quesion was a spiritual leader of a liberationist movement and not a combatant. He was a sick old man and no threat to anyone. There were innocents killed in the process. There is no doubt that this only further perpetuates the ongoing violence in the region.
Oh, wait i’m mixing up Osama bin Laden with Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. Yassin was killed by Israel in 2004. He served the same function in Hamas as OBL did in AQ.
Here was world reaction at the time:
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday condemned the attack on the wheelchair-bound Hamas leader shortly after he left a mosque near his Gaza City home following morning prayers.
White House ‘deeply troubled’The White House said Monday it was “deeply troubled” by Israel’s assassination of Yassin.
“We are deeply troubled by this morning’s actions in Gaza,” White House Scott McClellan said.
Earlier Monday, the United States denied it had given the green light to Israel to kill Yassin and appealed for calm in the region following the assassination.
The European Union and other countries condemned Israel’s killing of Yassin as a violation of international law that has further “inflamed” tensions in the Middle East.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/un-security-council-to-meet-on-yassin-assassination-1.117568
When you discriminate against people, picking a country to intervene militarily not because of human rights. But because of oil or other interest’s appetizers. Choosing Libya to send NATO, Europeans, Arab Leagues and American Missiles of Toma hook and Jet fighters. when DAR-FUR is completely ignored. YES, Qaddafi is bad but Omar Al-bashir is worst than Qaddafi ,Charles Taylor, Saddam, Milosevic and Hitler combined. So what is the result of the alliance of the coalition forces?? the negligence and unfairness has brought a horrible disaster in Libya today. The NTC Rebels who seems to be alienated with Al-qaeda are sending a clear message after all the support that International alliance chosen to give them…The NTC now are proven hatred of the Semitic and Black Innocent Africans lived in Libya for decades as Immigrants looking for work and lived beside the black Libyan natives.They are now being slaughtered and indiscriminately targeted for false claims as Qaddafi’s pro-mercenaries. No mercy at all and no Independent Investigators allowed to check on them to protect such brutal actions. Are these rebels a freedom fighters that you are supporting? Those who have to replace such dictator? By putting another notorious dictator? A group suspected to have alliances with Al-qaeda is better? When you don’t listen to the tiny..short people who have no fancy names or higher positions,then you will pay for your mistakes and unfairness. Sadly, many other innocents will pay the prize as well. No one knows how this mess will ends.