The Guardian has apologised after a cartoon depicting BBC chairman Richard Sharp was criticised as antisemitic.

I'm bemused by Martin Rowson's apology.
Thoughtless? Really?
He is so infected by "unconscious bias" that it has left him entirely oblivious and whatever the opposite is of empathetic.

Has Richard Sharp commented?

I specifically said that [ Quote] "CERTAIN SECTIONS of those who consider themselves to be generally liberal-left progressives" often hold, largely unconscious, anti-Semitic views. This cartoon getting published in the Guardian, and some of its initial defenders when it did first appear are evidence suggestive of that.

It was not an attack on the liberal left more widely, and therefore you needn't take it on any level personally.

But are you Jewish to understand?

It's a cartoon. Cartoons show people with exaggerated features. It's anti Richard Sharp.

I don't think it's antisemitic any more than Diane Abbot's letter was anti semitic.

Doesn’t surprise me with The Guardian. Horrible paper.

pooter, need I repeat, those of us left of centre do not largely have

"Reflects unconscious left of centre anti-Semitism"

Please stop smearing me and others on the basis of a cartoon. If feels very offensive for someone brought up and lived a long life as very aware of the history and horrors of anti-semitism.

I didn't even realise he was Jewish.
Should I have done?

Yes I knew in many of the complaints about it that the cartoon had been cropped, and that's another debate. It is anti semitic in my view. However I think I disagree about apologies not making a difference, where does that leave us if they dont.

Liar [in the article].

Just because Boris' fat bum is in the picture the main focus is the little man with the pig, octopus, box etc. and what they mean when depicting a Jewish person.

That it was one drawn in the first place, two published having been seen and approved by Guardian editorial staff, three remained on the website for I think about 15 hours in total, and four the anaemic nature of the apology that was issued, containing elements of non-apology (of the 'We are sorry if this cartoon upset some readers' genre).

The isssue of this cartoon, Diane Abbott's recent letter etc is about largely unconscious, anti-Jewish bias by certain sections of those who consider themselves to be generally liberal-left progressives. Rowson himself said that he didn't realise that the cartoon was anti-Semitic until the matter was explicitly brought to his attention, and presumably the Guardian likewise.



Reflects unconscious left of centre anti-Semitism

Rowson's statement on Twitter:

www.martinrowson.com

if you red in denial it would appear the image that I referenced by GB news was cropped (surprise, surprise) so we didn't see the whole image, just mainly the face: the complete cartoon referenced other matters..

I still feel the same however.

We all reveal our heart and minds attitudes through our speech. Publications, with considerable deliberation, expose their foundational Ethos, I’m unsurprised and disgusted by the Guardians cartoon.

I doubt any decent person would support any newspaper publishing an anti-Semitic cartoon.
I’m with Galaxy though regarding Dianne Abbott’s letter, surely you weren’t seriously suggesting that the Observer shouldn’t have published something which was written by a politician and displayed their prejudices Monica?

Drawn by cartoonist Martin Rowson

vegansrock

Well, to be fair , they took it down pretty quickly once it had been noted, but agreed, shouldn’t have been allowed in the first place.

It seems that in some areas it is deemed “enough” to retract a statement as Diane Abbott did or take down an offensive cartoon such as this.
But it isn’t
These things should not have been published or expressed in the first place.
The offence has even caused and the damage done. No apology can turn the clock back and pretend it never happened.

I'm afraid I didn't see it in the Guardian but am equally disgusted by the image and would have reported it had I known.

I agree Galaxy. I hesitated before giving the reference even but believe things should "outed".

I missed the GB news bit attributing it to Rosen. Disgusting. they know exactly what they were doing! Now that is anti-semitic!

I dont think I am annoyed with the Observer though for publishing diane Abbott s letter, I think it would have been worse to try and hide it so to speak.
I left the guardian or rather it left me years ago.

Like Wyllow3, I’m a leftie but I’m not anti semitic. It’s shocking that this cartoon could be drawn, never mind published. Casual antisemitism is so deep rooted that it often goes denied or unnoticed. As shown on many discussions on gransnet

The image is disgusting, right down to the vomiting pig. It stinks because The Guardian is so virtuous and up itself when it comes to criticising the reporting of racism in rival newspapers. Sorry I am appalled.

This is the cartoon: I'm inclined to agree
www.gbnews.com/news/guardian-apology-racism-anti-semitism-jews-cartoon

However being a leftie and not anti-semitic I'm a bit puzzled by your last sentence.

GB news have put a foot in it by saying the cartoon was by Michael Rosen.

Well, to be fair , they took it down pretty quickly once it had been noted, but agreed, shouldn’t have been allowed in the first place.