Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - Leadership in Buffalo's Jewish community says it's upset over Tuesday's Buffalo News cartoon by Adam Zyglis. They say the cartoon is anti-Semitic rather than a critique of Israel.
Rabbi Mendy Labkowski of Chabad Center For Jewish Life tells WBEN the cartoon, featuring a bathroom sink with Stars of David faucets and bloody skeletons emerging from the spout, has elicited profound distress within the Buffalo Jewish Community. "The use of the Star of David, a symbol of Judaism, transforms this depiction into an anti-semitic attack rather than a critique of the Jewish State of Israel," says Labkowski.
Labkowski says this is not isolated, stating Zyglis has a history of publishing antisemitic and anti-Israel cartoons. "The Jewish Community perceives today’s cartoon as a continuation of that trend but also reminiscent of historical propaganda from the 1930s," adds Labkowski.
Labkowski, on behalf of the Jewish Community, is advocating for the following actions:
Formal Apology: We demand The Buffalo News issue a formal apology, prominently featured in the newspaper, acknowledging the hurt caused by the cartoon.
Editorial Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive review of editorial and creative processes to prevent the publication of antisemitic cartoons like this one.
WBEN is awaiting a response from the Buffalo News.