The Washington Post is facing backlash from conservative critics after retracting an anti-Hamas political cartoon when some staff members expressed “deep concerns” about it.
The cartoon by Michael Ramirez, published in the Las Vegas Review-Journal and twice a week in the Post, depicted a Hamas spokesperson saying, “How dare Israel attack civilians,” while a woman and four children are bound to his body.
It was featured in the Nov. 8 print edition and online, but was later removed due to internal and external criticism.
WASHINGTON POST PULLED ANTI-HAMAS POLITICAL CARTOON AMID ‘DEEP CONCERNS’ FROM STAFFERS
Criticism is mounting against The Washington Post after it pulled an anti-Hamas political concern after some staffers expressed “deep concerns” about the panel. (Michael P. Ramirez/Getty)
“There was both external criticism and internal criticism. I think a number of people inside and outside were offended by the caricature, both of the man and the woman. I’m not sure, however, if the message itself [criticizing Hamas] was the problem,” one Washington Post insider told Fox News Digital.
Conservative political commentators took issue with the deletion and subsequent apology, criticizing the outlet for not standing by the cartoon.
“Let the word go forth, for the woke have spoken: terrorist groups using human shields is not problematic,” wrote political consultant Noah Pollak.
“Kind of surprised the Washington Post pulled this cartoon, given that it’s a completely accurate depiction of Hamas’s tactics,” The Bulwark’s Sonny Bunch wrote.
Journalist Jeryl Bier was skeptical of The Post’s reasoning and the New York Post Editorial Board said the “apology is the mistake, not the publication” of the cartoon.
The New York Post Editorial Board told The Washington Post that the “apology is the mistake, not the publication” of the anti-Hamas cartoon. (Israel Defense Forces via AP)
The New York Post Editorial Board criticized The Post’s retraction, contending that it encourages censorship.
“‘Democracy dies in darkness’ is the WaPo’s slogan; we’re saddened to see it surrendering to the dark side,” the board continued.
WASHINGTON POST APOLOGIZES, REMOVES ANTI-HAMAS CARTOON AFTER CRITICS CALLED IT RACIST
David Shipley, the opinions editor, explained his decision to retract the cartoon, indicating that it was seen as racist and that he reacted to the audience’s feedback.
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Fox News’ Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.
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