In the run up to the 2012 US presidential elections, Arab and Muslim media outlets have been featuring cartoons depicting the candidates – President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney – as well as the Democratic and Republican parties and the US electorate as subservient to Israel and the Jews.
The cartoons in this compilation are consistent with antisemitic caricatures regularly appearing in Arab and Muslim world depicting Jewish and Israeli power over and manipulation of the US and the international community. While some of the featured cartoons include classic anti-Semitic imagery and stereotypes, others exhibit a more nuanced, yet still classically anti-Semitic portrayal of Jewish control over the upcoming US presidential election.
They are the latest in an ADL series that highlights the Arab media’s demonization of the 2012 presidential election and the US-Israeli relationship.
Previous ADL compilations include a cartoon feature that followed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s meeting with President Obama in March 2012, as well as an earlier compilation from the 2008 US presidential election.
The following are selected examples of cartoons appearing in the Arab press portraying the US presidential candidates, political parties and electorate as subservient to the Jewish vote or controlled by Israel.
Al-Ahram Weekly, October 4-10, 2012 (Egypt).
Ad-Dustur, October 10, 2012 (Jordan) – The figures represent the Republicans and Democrats.
Al-Ghad, August 1, 2012 (Jordan) – The cartoon’s headline: “‘Romeo’ of the US Elections!”
Oman, October 10, 2012 (Oman) – The cartoon’s headline: “American Presidential Debates.” The American figures represent the Democratic and Republican parties.
Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, October 12, 2012 (Palestinian Authority) – The cartoon’s headline: “The Road to the White House.”
Al-Watan, October 12, 2012 (Qatar) – Written in Arabic: “Obama” and “Romney.”
Al-Watan, September 19, 2012 (Qatar) – Headline: “US Elections.”
Al-‘Arab, August 3, 2012 (Qatar) – Written in Arabic: “Israel.”
Al-‘Arab, August 1, 2012 (Qatar) – Written on the ballot box: “US Elections.”
Ukaz, October 9, 2012 (Saudi Arabia) – The cartoon’s headline: “Debate!” Written on the table: “US Elections.”
Al-Jazira, September 30, 2012 (Saudi Arabia) – Written on the Star-of-David-shaped ballot box: “US Elections.” Written on the ballots: “Presidential Candidate.”
Al-Watan, September 10, 2012 (Saudi Arabia).
Al-Watan, August 1, 2012 (Saudi Arabia) – The cartoon’s headline: “The US Elections”. The figures represent the “Democrats” and the “Republicans”.
Tishrin, August 3, 2012 (Syria) – The arms are those of Obama and Romney.
Tishrin, July 12, 2012 (Syria) – The cartoon’s headline: “The US Elections”.
Al-Bayan, October 14, 2012 (UAE) – The cartoon’s headline: “US Elections”.
Gulf News, October 13, 2012 (UAE).
Al-IttihadAl-Ittihad, September 25, 2012 (UAE) – The cartoon’s headline: “Romney.”
Al-Khalij, August 6, 2012 (UAE) – The Republicans and Democrats are saying to each other: “I am at Israel’s service more than you…!!???”
Al-Ittihad, August 4, 2012 (UAE) – The cartoon’s headline: “Election Campaigns…”
Al-Imarat Al-Yawm, July 31, 2012 (UAE) – The cartoon’s headline: “The US Presidential Race!”
Al-Hayat, August 2, 2012 (UK) – The cartoon’s headline: “US Election Fever”. The figures represent Obama and Romney.
