Genocide – mackaycartoons

Saturday January 27, 2024

January 27, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday January 27, 2024

When Cartoons Provoke Controversy… potentially

“The role of an editorial cartoonist is to provoke readers, not create controversy.”

This sage proclamation was once declared to me long ago by one of my first editorial overlords. It came not from who one might expect, a gruff old-timey journalist lecturing a potentially troublesome satirist. It came in my early days volunteering at my university campus student newspaper. From the dude with the important sounding title, “managing editor”. A guy I called a great friend, who I’d chum around with and drink beers with then and for years after. It’s a statement that I’ve tried to adhere to since hearing it in the late 1980’s while studying at the University of Ottawa. Yes, Sheldon Rae, I’m talking about you, my old friend!

As an editorial cartoonist, navigating the delicate waters of sensitive topics can be akin to walking a tightrope. Last week, I found myself grappling with the challenges that arise when an idea and sketch fail to align with the expectations of editorial gatekeepers, leading to the untimely demise of a concept – a fate commonly referred to in the industry as getting “spiked.”

January 12, 2024

The subject at hand was the ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) investigating allegations of genocide committed by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza. The conflict’s complexity, fuelled by historical grievances and recent tragic events, has heightened global tensions, triggering a surge in pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli sentiments, along with a disturbing rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia.

In an attempt to capture the gravity of the situation, I crafted a cartoon depicting ICJ judges on a boat in the Mediterranean cautioning a menacing missile-bearing Benjamin Netanyahu, blood-soaked and hovering over a devastated Gaza. The rubble, blood-spatters, and a subtle nod to Hamas held hostages in tunnels aimed to provide a truthful illustration, addressing concerns that the plight of the hostages was fading from discussions amidst the demands for a ceasefire.

However, the path from sketch to publication proved treacherous. Only one out of numerous editors endorsed the cartoon, and even among them, reservations emerged. An editor at the Toronto Star, while appreciating the concept, expressed concerns about the use of blood and the reference to hostages. This internal editorial scrutiny is not uncommon when dealing with controversial subjects, especially those as sensitive and polarizing as the Israel-Gaza conflict.

November 4, 2016

Controversial topics naturally draw the attention of higher-ups in the newsroom, and the highest authority holds veto power. In this case, faced with limited endorsements and sensing potential backlash, I redirected my focus to a more politically neutral subject – Donald Trump. The decision spared me from a weekend filled with vitriolic reactions to a cartoon addressing a dire and depressing topic.

The context behind the spiked cartoon includes the ICJ’s provisional order, stating that it is “plausible” that Israel violated the Genocide Convention. The court called on Israel to take immediate measures to prevent acts prohibited by the convention and protect Gaza’s population from further risk of genocide. South Africa, presenting the case, alleged genocidal acts by Israel, emphasizing the extensive civilian casualties in Gaza.

The court’s ruling, legally binding but unenforceable, may exert pressure on Israel’s allies, including the U.S., which reiterated that the genocide allegations were “unfounded.” The ICJ’s decision, while not a verdict on genocide, underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for international attention.

In the intricate dance between editorial creativity and the editorial room’s gatekeepers, the Israel-Gaza conflict stands as a formidable challenge. While the cartoon might have been a truthful portrayal, its potential impact on readers and the editorial decision-makers ultimately determined its fate. As controversies persist, editorial cartoonists continue to grapple with the delicate balance between artistic expression and editorial responsibility, knowing that not all battles are worth fighting on the pages of a newspaper. (AI)

Friday January 12, 2024

January 12, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday January 12, 2024

Questions and Actions on Gaza on Israel’s war on Hamas

December 20, 2023

In the wake of the recent hearing at the World Court where South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, skepticism looms large over the potential impact of any ruling on the actions against Israel through the United Nations. While the international community engages in a legal discourse, doubts persist about the ability of the UN to enforce meaningful measures should the court eventually rule in favour of South Africa’s case.

The gravity of the allegations, coupled with impassioned debates within the courtroom, paints a somber picture of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, history has shown us that the World Court’s decisions often encounter significant challenges when it comes to translating verdicts into tangible actions, particularly against powerful nations.

News: Israel officials support Gaza destruction, court hears

December 14, 2023

The term “genocide” itself carries immense weight, implying not only a moral failure but also demanding concrete steps to prevent further atrocities. The United Nations, as a global governing body, has been tasked with upholding justice and international law. However, its ability to enforce decisions remains questionable, leaving room for doubt regarding the effectiveness of any potential ruling in curbing Israel’s actions.

The cynicism surrounding the proceedings is not unfounded. In the past, instances where the World Court ruled against nations accused of grave violations, the actual implementation of sanctions or punitive measures has been limited. The lack of a robust enforcement mechanism within the UN, coupled with geopolitical complexities, often renders the court’s decisions toothless.

February 20, 2021

The skepticism is not confined to the courtroom; it extends to the international arena where political alliances and interests play a pivotal role. The powerful nations within the UN Security Council hold significant sway, making it challenging to orchestrate collective action against any member state, even in the face of serious allegations.

Additionally, the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with its deep-rooted historical, religious, and geopolitical dimensions, further complicate the prospects of effective UN action. The political stalemate and divergent global perspectives on the matter cast shadows of doubt on the feasibility of translating a legal verdict into concrete, impactful measures.

As the world awaits the World Court’s decision and potential future actions by the United Nations, the skepticism prevailing in the minds of many is a stark reminder of the challenges inherent in addressing grave allegations on the international stage. The gap between legal discussions and practical measures underscores the need for a more robust and effective global governance system that can truly enforce justice and accountability, irrespective of the geopolitical intricacies at play. Until then, the world watches with bated breath, skeptical of any real change emerging from the corridors of the World Court and the chambers of the United Nations. (AI)

Wednesday January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday January 19, 2022

Athletes to face rigorous tests at Beijing Games with COVID-19 and freedom of expression

August 12, 2021

The Beijing Olympic Committee is using stricter than usual testing for COVID-19, making it harder for Canadian athletes, especially those who have recently recovered from the virus, to pass tests upon arriving in China, CBC Sports has learned.

The cycle threshold (CT) value being used in China to detect an infection is 40, Dr. Mike Wilkinson, chief medical officer for the Canadian Olympic Committee, confirmed Monday.

The higher the CT value, the less infectious a person with COVID-19 is.

Many places in Canada use a CT value of 35.

The NBA and NHL use 30. The NFL has set its threshold at 35.

“I think what Beijing is doing is that they’re doing everything they can to ensure they don’t have positives coming in,” Wilkinson said. (CBC News)

Meanwhile, competitors at the Beijing Winter Olympics will face an “Orwellian surveillance state” in China and could put themselves in danger if they speak out in support of the Uyghur Muslims, human rights and athlete advocacy groups have said.

Saturday February 20, 2021

February 27, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 20, 2021

MPs vote to label China’s persecution of Uighurs a genocide

Parliament today accused the Chinese government of carrying out a campaign of genocide against Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims.

February 12, 2021

A substantial majority of MPs — including most Liberals who participated — voted in favour of a Conservative motion that says China’s actions in its western Xinjiang region meet the definition of genocide set out in the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention.

The final tally was 266 in favour and zero opposed. Two MPs formally abstained.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and almost all of his cabinet colleagues were absent for the vote. Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau was the only cabinet minister present. When it was his turn, he said he abstained “on behalf of the Government of Canada.”

The motion also calls on the government to lobby the International Olympic Committee to move the 2022 Winter Olympic Games out of Beijing.

It was passed over the strenuous objections of Chinese Ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu, who denounced the vote as meddling in China’s internal affairs.

June 3, 2015

Media reports and academic and UN experts have accused China of imprisoning Uighurs in concentration and “deradicalization” camps and targeting them for forced labour, sexual violence, population control methods and sweeping surveillance. China’s foreign ministry has denied the accusations.

The motion calls on the government to officially adopt the position that China is engaged in genocide, and to coordinate a response with the U.S. and other allies.

While it’s not clear what impact — if any — the non-binding resolution will have on the Liberal government’s approach to China, it threatens to inflame relations between the two countries at a time when they’re already tense due to the arrest of Huawei CEO Meng Wanzhou by Canadian authorities over two years ago, and China’s subsequent imprisonment of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

In a statement posted to the Chinese embassy’s website prior to the vote, Cong insisted the reports of Uighur persecution are based on lies.

November 20, 2020

Bob Rae, Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, called on the United Nations in November to investigate whether China’s persecution of ethnic Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang constitutes genocide.

Despite these calls, Prime Minister Trudeau and his cabinet ministers have been reluctant to use the word “genocide” to describe China’s actions against the Uighurs. Last week, Trudeau said the word is an “extremely loaded” one and he is not prepared to use it at this point.

In question period today, Garneau said the government takes allegations against China “very seriously” and has raised its concerns directly with the Chinese government.

Garneau said Canada wants independent investigators to go into China to document abuses and is working with international partners to gain access to the region. (CBC)