Cartoons and the new anti-Semitism : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Design at Massey University, College of Creative Arts, Wellington, New Zealand
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Date
2012
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Massey University
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Abstract
This thesis examines how the use of the Star of David symbol in
cartoons published in the three months following the May 31, 2010
Gaza flotilla incident reflects a global new anti-Semitism. The objective
is to identify and examine how particular signifiers in editorial-style
cartoons are used to communicate an anti-Semitic message. Over the
three-month period immediately following the flotilla incident the
mechanical and automatic retrieval method, Google Alerts captured
cartoons published internationally on the Internet each day. Roland
Barthes’ theory of systematic semiotic analysis was employed to
examine visual aspects of cartoons for signs which connoted anti-
Semitic messages against a framework of criteria drawn from a
synthesis of recognised definitions of anti-Semitism. The research
supports claims that a new anti-Semitism has spread into the
consciousness of mainstream culture. The research suggests that
criticism of Israel via the medium of cartoons can cross the line from
legitimate criticism to established anti-Semitic manifestations.
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Keywords
Antisemitism in the press, Jews, Jewish people, Israel, Caricatures and cartoons