The Guardian Newspaper Parts Ways With Cartoonist Steve Bell Over a Cartoon of Netanyahu

The Guardian newspaper ended its contract with its editorial cartoonist, Steve Bell. The newspaper took this decision after declining to publish a caricature of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Steve Bell has been with The Guardian since 1983.

A section alleged that this cartoon by Steve Bell was antisemitic in nature.

In an official statement, The Guardian expressed, “The decision has been made not to renew Steve Bell’s contract.” They also conveyed their gratitude to Bell for his four decades of contributions and wished him well in his future endeavours.

Steve Bell’s controversial caricature shared on social media, displays Netanyahu with a scalpel, seemingly preparing to make an incision shaped like Gaza in his abdomen. The caption read, “Residents of Gaza, get out now.”

Bell’s critics alleged that this cartoon hinted at the demand for a “pound of flesh” made by the Jewish character Shylock in Shakespeare’s play “The Merchant of Venice.”