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The Image Of The Jew In The Eyes Of Iran's Islamic Regime - Part III: Dehumanizing Jews In Cartoons Inspired By Classic European Antisemitism

Thursday, 2 May, 2013 16:42

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	Inquiry & Analysis|963|May 2, 2013 The Image Of The Jew In The Eyes Of Iran's Islamic Regime – Part III: Dehumanizing Jews In Cartoons Inspired By Classic European Antisemitism By: E. Zigron* MEMRI | MEMRI TV | JIHAD AND TERRORISM THREAT MONITOR | SOUTH ASIA STUDIES PROJECT
	Introduction This paper, the third in a series on the image of the Jew in the eyes of Iran's Islamic regime, deals with the Jew as reflected in cartoons published on official Iranian websites, and compares these cartoons with classic antisemitic European caricatures and depictions of Jews from previous centuries. An examination of these Iranian cartoons shows a clear intent to dehumanize Jews, with the aim of humiliating them and stripping them of their humanity – the better to foster emotional distance and alienation from them. The cartoons depict Jews as or in conjunction with animals known for their cruelty and other negative attributes and for the fear and revulsion they evoke in humans – serpents, swine, wolves, disease-spreading vermin, and more, as if indicating that shunning or even killing them could be considered essential to protect human life. The Iranian regime draws its inspiration for these cartoons from several sources. First, the motifs of physical characteristics originate without a doubt from classic European antisemitism – for example, the medieval depictions of Judensau, or Jews suckling from a sow, and the serpent, a main motif in The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Second, the regime is inspired by Islamic motifs of Jews as descendants of apes and pigs, as mentioned in the Koran. Third is the uniquely Persian and Iranian motif of Jews as dogs – in this culture, dogs are considered not only impure but also untouchable. The following are examples of various forms of dehumanization of Jews, in cartoons published by official Iranian regime websites. The Jew As A Serpent European antisemitic content from the late 18th century to the early 20th century commonly used serpents, symbolizing cunning and treachery. Iranian cartoonists often combine the serpent with the Star of David. The Inspiration Dreyfus the Jew. Musee des Horreurs series, France, 1900. The Iranian Interpretation An Iranian publication (in MEMRI's possession) that discussed the Protocols of the Elders of Zionshowed the alleged Jewish expansion across Muslim lands, portrayed as a serpent with Stars of David (see MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 98, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, an Iranian Perspective, June 7, 2000). Javan (Iran), August 24, 2012 Javan (Iran), May 16, 2012  Nassim (Iran), October 27, 2012 Fars (Iran), September 16, 2012    Javan (Iran), May 19, 2012 "Judensau" – Jew's Sow Judensau, "Jew's sow," is a visual antisemitic motif from the Middle Ages widely depicted in sculptures and drawings from that time showing Jews suckling from a sow.   The Inspiration Wittenberg: Wolfgang Meissner (Germany), 1596. Judensau at Regensburg cathedral, Germany. The Iranian Interpretation Rahma, Fars (Iran), September 7, 2012 The Jew As A Worm  Jews have been depicted in Europe as worms eating away at society and humanity from within, causing it to rot. Iranian cartoonists use the same motif with the same intent The Inspiration Der Stürmer (Germany), November 1931  Click here to view the full report.