The Australian Press Council has found that cartoonist Cathy Wilcox relied on antisemitic tropes in a controversial cartoon published in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack. The cartoon, published by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, depicted Australian politicians marching to the drumbeat of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Press Council Adjudication
In a scathing adjudication, the Press Council concluded that the January 7 cartoon breached its Standards of Practice and encoded an “antisemitic trope.” “The Council considers this imagery encodes the antisemitic trope that Jewish people secretly control or manipulate global events, governments, financial systems, or the media,” the ruling stated. “The Council considers this imagery was likely to cause or contribute to substantial offence, distress and prejudice particularly to those who are Jewish.”
Cartoon Details
The cartoon depicted a crowd calling for a Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach terror attack, being carried by Coalition MPs and public figures. Separate from the group, a figure resembling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu beat a drum accompanied by the words “Boom Boom.” The publications argued the cartoon was intended to critique the politicisation of calls for a Royal Commission into the Bondi attack.
The Press Council rejected the newspapers' justification, finding that the public interest in political commentary did not outweigh the harm caused. “The Council recognises the public interest in commenting on the political motivation of some calling for the Royal Commission into the terrorist attack,” it said. “The Council does not consider it was sufficient to justify the substantial offence, distress or prejudice caused or contributed to, in depicting those calling for a Royal Commission as being manipulated by the Israeli Prime Minister. Accordingly, the Council concludes that the publications failed to take reasonable steps to avoid causing or contributing materially to substantial offence, distress or prejudice in breach of General Principle 6.”
Reactions and Apologies
The Council noted that cartoons are afforded significant latitude because they often use exaggeration and absurdity to make a point, but warned that freedom was “not unlimited.” Shadow communications minister Sarah Henderson welcomed the Press Council’s finding. The Liberal Senator called on Ms Wilcox to apologise. “As I said at the time, this cartoon was deeply offensive and the Press Council's adverse finding is no surprise,” Ms Henderson told SkyNews.com.au. “While the Sydney Morning Herald and Age subsequently apologised, this imagery published so soon after the Bondi terrorist attack was laced in antisemitic poison and should never have seen the light of day. But where is the apology from cartoonist Cathy Wilcox? Ms Wilcox is well known for her facile left-wing cynicism, but this cartoon was beyond the pale. Not only did she promote an antisemitic trope, she was completely insensitive to the intimidation, fire bombings and physical harassment of Jews which culminated in 15 lives being taken at Bondi. It is time Ms Wilcox apologised for the distress she has caused to Jewish Australians.”
The controversy erupted in January, after Jewish leaders, politicians and public figures condemned the cartoon as deeply offensive and antisemitic. Following fierce backlash, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age issued a public apology acknowledging the hurt caused to Jewish Australians. The publications also claimed Ms Wilcox had not intended to offend or “cause hurt to the Jewish community.” However, just hours after the apology was published, Ms Wilcox publicly appeared to criticise the decision on social media.
Cartoonist's Response
When contacted by SkyNews.com.au at the time, Ms Wilcox unleashed an extraordinary expletive-laden rant. “Why in God's name do you think I would answer the questions of Murdoch's petty little propaganda operation, to give them more fuel for their campaign of hatred?” she said. “The irony of me having to answer to charges of hatred when your grubby outfit gives not one shit about what you do to people you target. Remind the boss about how much they cared about free speech when one of theirs was in the spotlight. Political correctness gone mad, eh? You and your hit squad goons can fuck right off.”
Broader Context
The Press Council’s ruling comes as major media companies, public broadcasters and social media giants prepare to face scrutiny at the Royal Commission into antisemitism. Sky News has revealed that Commissioner Virginia Bell and her team will dedicate a hearing block to examine antisemitism within traditional media and online platforms. Major media companies, including the ABC and SBS, are expected to be called to give evidence, while journalists may also appear as witnesses. Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson, who pushed for the media hearing, said there was significant public concern about coverage of issues affecting Jewish Australians. “The ABC has faced sustained criticism and public concern over aspects of its Middle East coverage, complaints handling processes and broader editorial approach, including evidence and submissions now before the Royal Commission alleging that its coverage has contributed to social division and diminished confidence among sections of the Jewish community,” Senator Henderson said. “The ABC and SBS have also declined to adopt the Special Envoy’s IHRA antisemitism definition and the approach adopted by the Royal Commission itself, arguing that existing editorial standards are sufficient. That decision has intensified public debate about whether publicly funded broadcasters are meeting community expectations in confronting antisemitism.”
