Friday, December 29, 2023

ADL is shocked by The Buffalo News’ (TBN) decision to publish Adam Zgylis’ cartoon depicting blood dripping into a sink from Star-of-David (also known as the Jewish Star) faucets while President Biden lies nearby seemingly indifferent to the death of Gazans. The cartoon’s association of a historic Jewish symbol with such gore invokes the antisemitic “blood libel,” which for centuries has accused blood-thirsty Jews of deliberately killing non-Jews. We call on TBN to issue an apology and to retract this grossly offensive cartoon. 

Your recent editorial board statement asserts that the cartoon seeks to initiate constructive conversation over the complicated crisis between Israel and Hamas. Such conversations are indeed vital, and ADL is a firm believer in the First Amendment. We recognize that editorial cartoons often use broad and exaggerated depictions. However, the associations invoked in the cartoon cross a line from commentary to hate-filled antisemitic tropes which do not open the door for dialogue. They simply fan an ancient flame. 

Alongside the crisis in Israel and Gaza, there has been a 337-percent year-over-year increase in antisemitic incidents in the United States since October. That is the highest number during any two-month period since ADL began tracking such incidents in 1979, according to preliminary data, including in Buffalo’s schools and community.  

We call upon TBN to make amends for this offense to the Jewish community and to use its medium to constructively promote dialogue, rather than hate. 

-Scott Richman 

Regional Director, ADL New York/New Jersey