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anniversary

Wednesday October 2, 2024

October 8, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

On the first anniversary of the war, Iran's continued backing of Hamas and Hezbollah underscores its role in prolonging the conflict and obstructing any path toward peace between Israel and Palestine.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday October 8, 2024

Animated making-of clip here!

A Year After October 7: The Dead End of Hamas’s Brutality and the World’s Inaction

Netanyahu’s military escalation may yield short-term successes, but without a shift toward diplomacy and a genuine commitment to addressing Palestinian grievances, the region risks spiralling into even greater chaos.

September 28, 2024

As we mark the first anniversary of Hamas’s brutal assault on Israel, it is impossible to overstate the devastating consequences of that attack—not just for the Israelis and Palestinians but for the broader goal of peace in the Middle East. In his recent essay, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman forcefully condemned Hamas’s actions on October 7, calling them not only indefensible but also a severe setback to any hopes for a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He is right. Hamas’s violence, fuelled by hatred and driven by no goal other than destruction, has shattered any glimmers of hope for the long-term solution that should be the only acceptable outcome: two states for two peoples, living side by side in dignity and peace.

Thomas L. Friedman: What I’m Thinking About on the First Anniversary of the War

The attack, in which Hamas brutally murdered, kidnapped, and terrorized Israeli civilians, was horrific. It left communities devastated, families shattered, and deepened the abyss of mutual mistrust and hostility. But beyond the raw brutality, what is particularly tragic is how much this act has set back the cause of Palestinian statehood—the very cause Hamas claims to represent. By engaging in terrorism rather than constructive diplomacy, Hamas not only reignited Israel’s fury but also reinforced global skepticism about the possibility of a peaceful Palestinian leadership emerging in Gaza.

Amidst evolving global challenges, Canada must prioritize aiding Ukraine's defence against Russian aggression while also providing crucial humanitarian assistance to address the famine crisis in Palestine.

March 20, 2024

For decades, the two-state solution has been seen by many, including Friedman and countless international diplomats, as the only viable path to peace. Yet Hamas’s actions have pushed that vision further out of reach. It was a strategic blunder as much as it was a moral atrocity, handing Israel the justification to retaliate with overwhelming force and to focus on military victory rather than any long-term political solution.

And what of the innocent civilians on both sides? The war has inflicted untold suffering on ordinary people, caught in the crossfire of this seemingly endless conflict. In Israel, families live in constant fear of rocket attacks. In Gaza, civilians—women, children, the elderly—are paying the price for Hamas’s decision to embed itself in residential areas, hospitals, and schools. Gaza’s residents, already living in crippling poverty and under blockade, have been subjected to unimaginable horrors. Hospitals have been bombed, neighbourhoods reduced to rubble, and the humanitarian crisis has worsened by the day. Israel’s military actions, aimed at Hamas, have also caused widespread civilian casualties, deepening the despair of a people who have already suffered for far too long.

Yet as Friedman rightly points out, Israel, too, bears responsibility for its inability to offer a vision for Gaza beyond “total victory” over Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government has pursued a war strategy that, without a plan for what comes next, risks turning Gaza into an eternal battlefield. The relentless bombing of schools and homes to kill a few militants is not a long-term solution, and it only solidifies Israel’s image as a brutal occupier in the eyes of much of the world. Without articulating a vision for peace—a real future for the Palestinians who live in Gaza—Israel will never be able to claim victory in the broader battle for the moral high ground.

Putin and Iran are using the Israel-Palestine crisis to divert attention from Russia's Ukraine invasion and undermine the West by supporting Hamas and spreading anti-Western disinformation.

October 20, 2023

The international community, for its part, has failed miserably in its responsibility to broker peace and end the senselessness. For a year, global leaders have stood by, wringing their hands while the violence escalates, incapable or unwilling to step in and demand a cease-fire, negotiate a viable solution, or impose any meaningful consequences for war crimes. The United States, under President Biden, has sent mixed messages—offering tepid warnings to Israel while continuing to supply weapons. Meanwhile, Europe, once a voice for human rights, has largely remained silent as Gaza burns. The global community’s dysfunction and impotence are a tragedy of their own, enabling the continuation of violence and suffering.

News: War rages on multiple fronts as Israel marks a year since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack

Friedman also touches on a darker undercurrent in Israeli politics: Prime Minister Netanyahu’s apparent interest in prolonging the war to serve his own political needs. Facing corruption charges, Netanyahu has used the conflict to delay his day in court and to bolster his standing with his far-right allies, who demand total victory and the continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank. This political calculus, combined with a lack of coherent strategy, risks dragging Israel into a perpetual cycle of violence, one in which neither peace nor security can ever be fully achieved.

The relentless conflict in Gaza places both Palestinian and Israeli civilians in a dire predicament. As Hamas, responsible for numerous deadly acts against Israel and hostage-taking, triggers a planned offensive by Israel's IDF in northern Gaza City, it is inevitable that innocent civilians will suffer the repercussions.

October 14, 2023

This anniversary is a grim reminder of what happens when extremism, short-term thinking, and cynical political maneuvering drive policy instead of a genuine commitment to peace. Hamas, with its embrace of terror and rejection of diplomacy, has done as much harm to the Palestinian cause as it has to Israeli civilians. Meanwhile, Israel’s military response, unchecked by the international community and lacking any clear endgame, has deepened the suffering of Palestinians and alienated the global moral support it once relied on.

But there is a way forward—if only the world will seize it. As Friedman suggests, the key lies in rebuilding a legitimate Palestinian partner for peace, one that is capable of leading Gaza and the West Bank toward statehood. The Palestinian Authority, despite its flaws, remains the only viable alternative to Hamas. Israel must support its reform and empower it to govern Gaza, as part of a broader vision of two states. At the same time, the international community must pressure Israel to halt settlement expansion and recognize that permanent occupation and endless war will never bring security or peace.

It is a bitter irony that, one year after the October 7 attacks, the future seems bleaker than ever for both Israelis and Palestinians. But it does not have to be this way. There is still a path toward peace, if leaders on all sides are willing to take it. That path, however, requires an end to violence, an end to cynicism, and a renewed commitment to the only solution that can ever bring lasting justice and security: two states for two peoples, living side by side. Anything less is not just a failure of leadership—it is a failure of humanity. (AI)


Letter to the Editor, The Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday October 9, 2024 

Cartoon an ‘inversion of reality’

October 9, 2024 letter

Graeme Mackay’s Oct. 8 cartoon depicted Israel’s prime minister fighting over a dove with Iran’s ayatollah, standing over a mountain of bones. This caricature drew an obscene moral equivalence.

One year ago, Hamas (an Iranian-backed terrorist proxy), launched the biggest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. The next day, Hezbollah, another Iranian proxy, began firing 10,000 rockets indiscriminately into Israel. Soon the Houthis in Yemen and other groups allied with Iran joined in. All of them are sworn to Israel’s destruction.

And yet Israel — for refusing to lie down and die — is put in the same category as the genocidal maniacs who seek to destroy it, and whose followers have been rampaging on our streets for a year? This is akin to showing Hitler and Churchill fighting over a mountain of graves and is an absolute inversion of reality.

Robert Walker, assistant director, Honest Reporting Canada


Letter to the Editor, The Hamilton Spectator, Thursday October 10, 2024 

Innocents caught in the crossfire
Re: Cartoon an ‘inversion of reality’ Oct. 9

October 10, 2024 

Graeme MacKay’s Oct. 8 cartoon depicted the reality of what is now happening in Gaza and the West Bank. What happened on Oct. 7, 2023, is pure horror for the people of Israel and for Jews around the world. As for how it was allowed to happen, the Israeli people deserve an honest answer.

For Israel, when it comes to defending its people, that is totally understandable. What the gentleman from HonestReporting Canada has failed to see is, peace is something that is earned. In all honesty whether it is Hamas, an extremely violent terrorist group, or prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu — both have caused the deaths of thousands of innocent people. The failure to see what has happened to these people is unconscionable.

Margo May Taylor, Ancaster

Posted in: International Tagged: 2024-18, animated, anniversary, Ayatollah, Benjamin Netanyahu, Feedback, Gaza, Hamas, Hezbollah, Honest Reporting, Iran, Israel, letter, massacre, October 6, Palestine, peace

Wednesday April 10, 2024

April 10, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Canada's diminishing military stature amidst rising global tensions, exemplified by Russia's aggression in Ukraine and the lasting effects of former U.S. President Donald Trump's rhetoric, underscores the urgent need for renewed prioritization and investment in Canadian defence, especially as NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday April 10, 2024

Canada’s Defence Dilemma: A Legacy Fading Under the Stars and Stripes

May 29, 2002

As NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary amidst rising global tensions, Canadians are grappling with a troubling reality: our once-vibrant military legacy is fading under the shadows of American security alliances. This sobering moment comes at a time of heightened geopolitical turbulence, exacerbated by Russia’s brazen invasion of Ukraine and the lingering spectre of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric threatening NATO’s cohesion.

News: NATO at 75: Is Canada losing its grip on the world’s greatest military alliance?

Canada must enhance efforts to meet NATO’s 2% defence spending target, reinforcing its obligations and commitments to global security.

March 1, 2024

The recent announcement of increased defence spending by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, while a step forward, is also a stark reminder of years of neglect and misplaced priorities. Trudeau, suddenly pandering to calls for bolstering Canada’s defence, has had ample time since assuming office in 2015 to reverse the decline of our military capabilities. Instead, successive governments have allowed our armed forces to languish, reflecting a lack of will to prioritize and invest in our own defence.

Canada’s journey from a post-war military powerhouse to a nation dependent on American security alliances can be traced back to the gradual erosion of our military capabilities. The decline began with decisions made decades ago to let our military infrastructure deteriorate, coupled with a societal shift that undervalued the importance of investing in our national defence.

Donald Trump's recent remarks, cheering on aggression against NATO countries, and Canada's position as a buffer between Russia and potential U.S. instability, highlight the urgent need for a rethink on global security.

February 13, 2024

The spectre of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine underscores the urgent need for Canada to reclaim its role as a stalwart defender of democratic values and international security. However, our ability to project strength and credibility on the global stage has been compromised by years of underinvestment and strategic complacency.

Moreover, the unsettling rhetoric of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who openly mused about abandoning NATO and questioned the value of collective defence, sent shockwaves through the alliance. While Trump’s presidency has come to an end, the echoes of his disruptive rhetoric continue to reverberate, casting doubt on America’s steadfast commitment to its NATO allies. Now, with Trump hoping for a return in the 2024 election as the Republican presidential candidate, the prospect of renewed uncertainty in U.S. foreign policy looms large.

Opinion: Sham defence review shows Canada will never meet its commitments to NATO allies  

November 17, 2015

Prime Minister Trudeau’s sudden pivot towards bolstering defence spending seems reactive rather than proactive, highlighting a broader pattern of neglect towards our military forces. It’s a far cry from the era when Canada asserted its sovereignty by distancing itself from the security umbrella of the United Kingdom.

As we mark NATO’s milestone anniversary amidst geopolitical uncertainty, it’s time for Canadians to reassess our priorities and reclaim our legacy as a nation that values and invests in its military. Our armed forces deserve better than years of neglect and half-hearted commitments. Let’s heed the lessons of history and renew our dedication to a strong, independent, and capable Canadian military—one that reflects the values and aspirations of our nation. (AI)

 

Posted in: Canada, International Tagged: 2024-07, anniversary, balloon, cake, Canada, commitment, Defence, Entertainment, hot air, Justin Trudeau, military, NATO, spending, USA

Graeme Gallery – 25th Anniversary

December 31, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

2022 marked the 25 year milestone since officially beginning my role on July 7, 1997, as staff editorial cartoonist at The Hamilton Spectator. Previous to then my illustrations regularly appeared on a freelance basis in this paper as well as several other newspapers and magazines across Canada and the United States. I had been editorial cartoonist for the chain of Hamilton area community newspapers known as Brabant, and I got my first start as a published cartoonist as a student at The Fulcrum, while attending the University of Ottawa in the late 1980s and early 90s. Visitors here will know thousands of my cartoons can be mined in searches from this very website. Upon being hired 6000 editorial cartoons or so ago, the Internet was in its infancy, so while all of my cartoons may be found after 2000, ones before then have been added years after they originally appeared in print. Thoughts of putting together a print catalogue book going back several decades are always swirling in the background as a possibility of happening until they aren’t. So until then, folks will just have to settle for nostalgic MacKay cartoons from tablet glass through my vast archives instead of paperback. So many cartoons from the biggest characters from the past quarter century…

Jean Chretien
Jean Chretien
Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
Mike Harris
Mike Harris
Dalton McGuinty
Dalton McGuinty
Kathleen Wynne
Kathleen Wynne
Young Doug Ford: The Series
Young Doug Ford: The Series
Marvelous Maps
Marvelous Maps
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
Years in Review
Years in Review
June 3, 1997
June 3, 1997
May 14, 1998
May 14, 1998
June 20, 1998
June 20, 1998
July 30, 1998
July 30, 1998
October 23, 1998
October 23, 1998
January 2, 1999
January 2, 1999
December 31, 1999
December 31, 1999
December 26, 1998
December 26, 1998
October 20, 1999
October 20, 1999
May 3, 2000
May 3, 2000
November 14, 2000
November 14, 2000
September 3, 2011
September 3, 2011

OntarioGG22 | CanadaGG22 | The WorldGG22 | 25th Anniversary

Posted in: Cartooning Tagged: 2022-44, anniversary, gallery, Graeme Gallery, Year in review

Happy 25th Anniversary

July 5, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

As I enjoy some time off, this week marks the 25 year milestone since officially beginning my role on July 7, 1997, as staff editorial cartoonist at The Hamilton Spectator. Previous to then my illustrations regularly appeared on a freelance basis in this paper as well as several other newspapers and magazines across Canada and the United States. I had been editorial cartoonist for the chain of Hamilton area community newspapers known as Brabant, and I got my first start as a published cartoonist as a student at The Fulcrum, while attending the University of Ottawa in the late 1980s and early 90s. Visitors here will know thousands of my cartoons can be mined in searches from this very website. Upon being hired 6000 editorial cartoons or so ago, the Internet was in its infancy, so while all of my cartoons many be found after 2000, ones before then have been added years after they originally appeared in print. Thoughts of putting together a print catalogue book going back several decades are always swirling in the background as a possibility of happening until they aren’t. So until then, folks will just have to settle for nostalgic MacKay cartoons from tablet glass through my vast archives instead of paperback. So many cartoons from the biggest characters from the past quarter century…

Jean Chretien
Jean Chretien
Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
Mike Harris
Mike Harris
Dalton McGuinty
Dalton McGuinty
Kathleen Wynne
Kathleen Wynne
Young Doug Ford: The Series
Young Doug Ford: The Series
Marvelous Maps
Marvelous Maps
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
Years in Review
Years in Review

Hamilton Spectator Editorial Page – July 9, 1997

Posted in: Cartooning Tagged: 25, anniversary, cartoonist

Thursday January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 6, 2022

A year after Jan. 6 riot, Americans and Canadians agree U.S. democracy in peril: poll

January 8, 2021

One year after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, a majority of Americans and Canadians alike say democracy in the United States is under threat, a new poll suggests.

The poll, conducted by the Angus Reid Institute and released Thursday, also found stark differences in how the event is viewed by conservatives and liberals in both countries.

The divide is more severe in the U.S., where 68 per cent of respondents who voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 election disagree that the riots were an act of domestic terrorism — an opinion at odds with the FBI and other officials — while nearly three quarters still believe Trump won the election that he lost.

“There are only two (major) political parties in the U.S. … and this has become the narrative of one of those parties,” said Matthew Lebo, a political science professor at Western University who studies U.S. and Canadian politics.

“You cannot have a democracy with only one party that believes in democracy.”

Thursday marked the one-year anniversary of the riots, which saw supporters of Trump violently storm the Capitol building and disrupt the certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory the previous November. Seven people, including police officers, died during and after the siege.

Posted in: USA Tagged: 2022-01, anniversary, big lie, Capitol riots, coin, commemoration, Democracy, Donald Trump, insurrection, January 6, USA
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Please note…

This website contains satirical commentaries of current events going back several decades. Some readers may not share this sense of humour nor the opinions expressed by the artist. To understand editorial cartoons it is important to understand their effectiveness as a counterweight to power. It is presumed readers approach satire with a broad minded foundation and healthy knowledge of objective facts of the subjects depicted.

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