Row over ‘anti-Semitic’ cartoonist invited to speak at arts festival

A prestigious arts festival has become embroiled in a row after an artist who has created allegedly anti-Semitic works was invited as a key speaker.

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF) has stood by its decision to invite Mohammad Sabaaneh, the Palestinian cartoonist.

This is despite him previously publishing a drawing depicting a stereotypically Jewish figure nailing Christ to the cross, while Jesus wears a Palestinian keffiyeh.

In another drawing, a Jewish figure is depicted running out of the Holocaust and towards Palestine with a lit match and a gun.

Further images appear to show a Jewish locust predating on Jerusalem, while another shows a hand emblazoned with the Star of David appearing to control the United States, and by extension the United Nations.

One work of art depicts an octopus with what appears to be an Israeli flag on its helmet.

A well-known anti-Jewish propaganda poster from the Nazi era depicted an octopus with a Star of David above its head with its tentacles wrapped around the globe.

In addition, Mr Sabaaneh has been accused of conducting activity on social media in the last year that could be taken as excusing the Oct 7 Hamas massacre, even though the artist has long claimed to be an “enemy” of the terrorist group.

On Oct 11 last year an account on X bearing his name reposted a tweet which said: “If Ukrainians had taken the steps Palestinians just took, would they be seen as heroes?”

It also posted a picture of the assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, including a quote of his saying: “Our blood is not more precious than the blood of our people”.

The account also reposted a picture of one of the Oct 7 victims which appeared to question whether she was a civilian.

None of the allegedly anti-Semitic artworks are due to be shown at this year’s Lakes festival, which is laying on an exhibition featuring 12 Palestinian artists called Comics From The Arab World.

Mr Sabaaneh has been selected from among the artists to appear in person, taking part in two live events.

The row exploded among the festival’s organisers after a prominent Jewish board member demanded that Mr Sabaaneh should be asked a question about his previous “racist” work during one of the question-and-answer sessions.

Peter Kessler, who had served on the festival’s board for more than a decade, said the artist should not be cancelled from the event, but that he should be challenged to justify his previous work, having been notified of the question in advance.

However, the board, chaired by Julie Tait, disagreed.

She told The Telegraph the question would effectively “interrogate” the artist on stage, and that the proposal was rejected under “safeguarding and equalities policies”.

Mr Kessler, who has voiced praise for much of Mr Sabaaneh’s work and writings, including on the question of Israel-Palestine, subsequently resigned, and alleges that he was marginalised during the decision-making process.

He said: “Many people disagree on many things, but there are certain absolutes. And one of them is racism.

“When you see racism, it is your responsibility – especially as a publicly funded organisation that inspires others – to call it out.”

He added: “To be rejected by your friends is not pleasant. To find that they are rejecting you because you are Jewish is even worse.

“And in this case there is no doubt that my opinions and insights – the opinions and insights from the only Jewish member of the Board – were not just brushed aside but actively shut down and ignored.”

Ms Tait said Mr Kellser resigned from the board “due to irreconcilable differences”, and denied he was marginalised, but “treated with respect and empathy throughout the process”.

She added: “We are fully aware of Mohammad Sabaaneh’s past work, and our decision to include him in the festival was made after careful consideration.”

“Mohammad’s role at the festival is as an artistic ambassador, celebrating Palestinian comic art.

“The specific works chosen for this exhibition do not feature anti-Semitic imagery.”

The Telegraph has approached Mr Sabaaneh for comment.

The festival told UnHerd that the artist will defend himself against allegations of racism “coherently and persuasively at the festival”.

In an interview in 2013 Mr Sabaaneh said “Hamas hates me” and that the terrorist group was angered after he published a cartoon that openly criticised Ismail Haniyeh.

The festival receives significant public funding, both from the Arts Council and the British Council.

The Arts Council said it had investigated the issue but could not take action because it is “not a regulator”.

A spokesman said: “We expect all organisations we fund to provide safe and welcoming spaces, and to champion artistic freedom of expression within the parameters of any relevant laws.”

Meanwhile a British Council spokesman said: “We are aware of concerns that have been raised regarding a selection of political cartoons previously produced by one of the curators.

“These cartoons do not form part of the exhibition at LICAF, which aims to highlight the unique creativity of Palestinian comic art.”