Montreal  March 20, 2024 – Federation CJA and its advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) have called out La Presse for publishing an antisemitic caricature depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Nentanyahu as a blood-thirsty vampire.

“One can criticize Prime Minister Netanyahu (as many Israelis do) without stooping to using antisemitic tropes such as hooked fingers or a big nose. This kind of drawing contributes to the normalization of antisemitism that has been affecting our community for months,” said Eta Yudin, VP, CIJA Quebec.

Yudin asked La Presse to immediately remove the caricature, issue an apology and use the opportunity to educate readers of the dangers of antisemitism. She communicated with La Presse editor in chief Stéphanie Grammond early in the day.

“We are writing to express our shock and concern at the publication this morning in La Presse. The deplorable cartoon depicts Prime Minister Netanyahu as a bloodthirsty vampire, perpetuating antisemitic stereotypes that have plagued the Jewish community for centuries. Depicting a Jew as a degenerate vampire thirsty for blood and riches is a classic example of antisemitic tropes. It is deeply disturbing that your newspaper chooses to perpetuate such offensive imagery, especially considering the long history of antisemitism and its devastating consequences,” Yudin wrote.

“It's particularly distressing that more than 100 years have passed since Nosferatu popularized the vampire as an antisemitic stereotype, and little progress seems to have been made in eradicating these hateful depictions from public discourse. The use of such imagery not only reinforces harmful stereotypes, but also contributes to the normalization of antisemitic messages in our society.”

Shortly thereafter, La Presse removed the caricature from all of its platforms and issued a public apology.
“While we are satisfied with the removal of this hurtful image and accountability by the paper in clarifying this mishap, we look forward to La Presse creating awareness among its reader that antisemitism has no place in modern society,” said Yair Szlak, President & CEO, Federation CJA. “We must maintain a high level of respect and tolerance, particularly in troubling times.”

Yudin and Szlak noted that many readers contacted the newspaper to express outrage and this communal effort lead to quick action on the part of the newspaper. 

Federation CJA and CIJA continue to monitor this situation along with other troubling developments of utmost concern to the Montreal Jewish community. “Swift action will be taken to defend and protect our community,” Szlak said.

Said Yudin, “It is imperative that media organizations take a stand against hate speech and bigotry in all its forms. By addressing this issue promptly and appropriately, La Presse can turn around this unfortunate matter in helping to combat the growing tide of anti-Semitism and promote understanding and tolerance in our society.