AFR cartoon condemned for hateful tropes

A cartoon published in the Australian Financial Review on the weekend depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu riding a missile with the face of President Donald Trump has been widely condemned by the Jewish community as a disturbing “piece of propaganda”.

Cartoonist David Rowe’s illustration shows Netanyahu conducting an oil check on the Trump-faced missile, with the caption reading: “Running on empty. Oil check.” However, the “oil” being drawn from the Trump missile is red, suggesting Netanyahu is drawing blood.

A speech bubble pointing to the mouth of the US President reads: “Torah! Torah! Torah! Or whatever.”

Next to the Israeli Prime Minister the words “oy vey” are written, while in the bottom right-hand corner a building is adorned with the words “Pearl Harbour 2026” in a not so subtle nod to President Trump’s recent Oval Office remarks.

It is understood Jewish roof bodies have fielded numerous complaints about the cartoon.