This week, the Forward reprints an offensive cartoon of Naomi Chazan accompanying a story about attacks on the New Israel Fund, of which she is president.
But we chose not to reproduce any of the Danish cartoons satirizing the prophet Muhammad and offensive to many Muslims — and the subject of a book reviewed by Eddy Portnoy. Why?
After much deliberation, we decided that the drawing of Chazan (by another Jewish organization) said more than words ever could about a development within the Jewish community, here and in Israel. It is our story, and it is happening now. But we saw no similarly compelling reason to reprint the Danish cartoons, first made public years ago, since Portnoy’s book review stands on its own.
This debate is part of an ongoing discussion about whether and how offensive ideas, in word or illustrations, should be displayed by a news organization like the Forward, which is anchored in journalistic independence and a commitment to community dialogue. As always, I welcome your thoughts.
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For posterity's sake, the cartoons in question, along with a brief history of surrounding events, can be found on its Wikipedia page here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jyllands-Posten_Muhammad_cartoons_controversy
Is that ALL that was discussed? Nothing about how extremist Muslims tend to blow things up a lot more frequently than extremist Christians or Jews? And that you didn't want to get blown up?
Please. Call a spade a spade. You were afraid. Extremist Muslims win, because they are more extreme, and you just gave them another victory. You will fight tooth-and-nail for your First Amendment right to print whatever else you want, unless there's a threat of getting blown up, then maybe not so tooth-and-nail.
WOW, I am really, really sorry for posting that above comment BEFORE READING PORTNOY'S PIECE! Because now I have to add that this is the most absurd thing I've ever seen!! You publish an article taking Yale University Press to task for not publishing the cartoons -- "That the book doesn’t include images of its very topic is, quite simply, ridiculous" -- and they YOU FOLLOW THAT SAME EXAMPLE!
Shocking. It's cowardly on both ends, not printing the cartoons while also attacking another publisher for something you obviously can't do with any more conviction than they can (Why is it only THEIR responsibility to publish the cartoons?!).
If it is considered heresy to show the prophet Mohammad by Muslims they should not do so, but it is not the case for non-Muslims. Those who protested violently against the cartoons showed little tolerance for people who do not share the same beliefs.
Many Jews will not write G-d’s name unless in a religious context, yet I haven’t found any who are insulted when others spell the entire word.
I have an idea. How about a cartoon showing Muhammad beheading 800 Jews in Medina? Would the Forward have any objections to showing such, with Muhammad's face obscured?
I agree with "Really?" and "Really Part 2." It should be obvious. Wake up.
My comment concerning the unpublished cartoon is that the forwards sometimes does show its collective shtetl mentality. The cartoon wasn't published in order to show the goyim how evolved we are like them. We jews don't make waves. The poor marginalized muslims have a sacred obligation to uphold their religion. far be it from us enlightened yidden to offend their colloquial ways.