Rupert Murdoch apologises for Scarfe cartoon in Sunday Times

Rupert Murdoch has said sorry for the ‘offensive’ cartoon, which was published on Holocaust Memorial Day

16:42 29 January 2013

Rupert Murdoch has apologised for a 'grotesque’ and ‘offensive’ Gerald Scarfe cartoon, which was published by the Sunday Times on Holocaust Memorial Day. The cartoon has caused controversy, in particular with some Jewish groups.

 

The view held by some is that the image could be seen as being anti-Semitic.

 

A complaint has been placed with the Press Complaints Commission from the Board of Deputies of British Jews with regards to Gerald Scarfe’s cartoon.

 

The image portrays Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu building a wall, and it has the caption “Will cementing peace continue?”.

 

Mr. Murdoch took to social network site Twitter to comment on the situation. He said: “Gerald Scarfe has never reflected the opinions of the Sunday Times. Nevertheless, we owe major apology for grotesque, offensive cartoon.”

 

The Sunday Times has released a statement stating that they meant no offence to Jewish people. And the timing of the publication on  Holocaust Memorial Day may be seen by some as being accidental.

 

Martin Ivens, who is acting editor of the paper said: “The paper has long written strongly in defence of Israel and its security concerns, as have I as a columnist.”

 

Mr. Ivens continued: “We are, however, reminded of the sensitivities in this area by the reaction to the cartoon, and I will, of course, bear them very carefully in mind in future.”

 

Mr. Murdoch is the CEO of News Corporation, whose paper News of the World ended in 2011. In the summer of 2012 he resigned from his role at News International.