Special Information
Bulletin

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Center for Special Studies (C.S.S)
November 2004
 

An increase in the number of anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic cartoons (some of them recycled) in the Egyptian media in the wake of the Israeli army operation in the northern Gaza Strip and the anniversary of the Yom Kippur War.

 
A previously-published cartoon depicting Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, and Adolf Hitler goose-stepping over skulls, their arms raised in a fascist salute, their hands covered in blood (Al-Gomhuria, October 4, 2004). Cartoons equating Israeli with Nazi Germany have recently reappeared in both the establishment and opposition Egyptian media.
Overview
1. In the wake of Israeli army Operation Days of Penitence in the northern Gaza Strip (initiated because of the launching of Qassam rockets at civilian Israeli targets) and with the anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, a severe spike in anti-Semitic propaganda was witnessed in the Egyptian media. As usual, there was no clear distinction between criticism leveled at Israel and the Israeli army, and the use of familiar anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish motifs.
2. During October many extreme cartoons appeared in the Egyptian media containing familiar anti-Semitic, anti-Israeli motifs: the comparison between Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, and Adolf Hitler; the myth that the Jews direct American foreign policy; the snake as a symbol of the Jews, a classic Christian European anti-Semitic motif; the classic anti-Semitic Jewish stereotypes of traditional Jewish garb and hooked noses.
3. At least two of the current examples are either reprints or reworkings of previously published cartoons (in one case in the same newspaper, apparently a sign that the anti-Semitic Muses had deserted the field).
4. The following are a representative sample:

Ariel Sharon and Adolf Hitler goose-stepping together – a recycled cartoon
(by the same cartoonist published in the same newspaper)
Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, and Adolf Hitler goose-stepping on skulls in the government-owned Al-Gomhuria, October 4, 2004 .
Ariel Sharon and Adolf Hitler in the same pose, Al-Gomhuria, December 12, 2001.
Hitler kneeling before Sharon, his head bowed in submission and his hand raised in the fascist salute, calling Sharon “master and teacher” (Al-Raaye, independent newspaper, October 4, 2004).
The calendar shows October 6, the date of the Yom Kippur War. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (left) and an Israeli soldier (right) presented as stereotyped Jews in Nazi uniforms with Magen David (Star of David) armbands. The soldier says to Sharon: “Let’s get a Security Council resolution annulling the results [of the Yom Kippur War]” (Al-Gomhuria, October 6, 2004).

Classic Jewish stereotypes
Al-Wafd (opposition newspaper), October 6, 2004
Jewish control of American policy – a recycled cartoon
Israel and the Jews control American foreign policy
(Al-Arabi, opposition newspaper, October 3, 2004).
Another recycled cartoon from the government-owned Al-Akhbar, April 4, 2002. The snakes forming the stripes of the American flag represent the Jewish lobby.
A cartoon relating to one of the televised debates between incumbent President Bush and contender John Kerry, both sporting ties with Magen Davids (Stars of David). The text reads: “From Bush to Kerry… Be not sad, my heart.” The point is apparently to present both Bush and Kerry as foils for the Jews. Thus there would be nothing for the sad-faced Arab to rejoice at if Kerry won the 2004 US presidential elections.
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