Media conglomerate Nine Newspapers has issued a formal public apology following intense backlash over a political cartoon it published, which was widely condemned as divisive and antisemitic. The controversy centres on an illustration by cartoonist Cathy Wilcox, titled 'Grassroots', which commented on calls for a royal commission into the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Content of the Controversial Cartoon
The cartoon, published in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, 7th January, depicted a group of prominent figures uplifting a patch of grass containing protesters demanding a royal commission. The figures included media mogul Rupert Murdoch, anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal, former prime minister John Howard, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, Coalition Senator Jacinta Price, and National Party leader David Littleproud.
To the side, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was shown beating a drum, with a thought bubble reading 'don't mention the war'. This specific element, alongside the overall imagery, triggered immediate accusations of perpetuating harmful stereotypes about Jewish influence.
Widespread Outrage and Condemnation
The publication sparked fury from Jewish community leaders, politicians, and other high-profile Australians, who labelled it offensive and antisemitic. Critics argued it mocked genuine calls for a thorough investigation into the 14th December terror attack at Bondi, which claimed 15 innocent lives during a Hanukkah celebration.
Former Northern Territory senator and Olympic gold medalist Nova Peris branded the cartoon 'pathetic' and 'vile'. In a powerful statement, she warned that such mockery insinuates 'Jewish suffering is exaggerated, manipulated, or politically manufactured'. She connected the imagery to historical tropes, stating, 'For centuries, Jews were depicted as schemers and manipulators... This cartoon sits squarely in that tradition.'
Federal Senator Sarah Henderson similarly called the cartoon 'deeply offensive'. The backlash culminated in Nine publishing an apology and explanation on its newspaper websites on Sunday.
Nine's Apology and the Path Forward
In its apology, Nine stated that while some readers found the cartoon thought-provoking, it 'deeply hurt and offended' others. 'We have heard their distress and for this pain, we sincerely apologise,' the statement read. It clarified that Wilcox's intention was to 'scrutinise the almost immediate politicisation' after the horrific attack and that she 'by no means intended to cause hurt to the Jewish community.'
The apology was issued just hours before a memorial at Bondi Pavilion marking one month since the attack. The controversy unfolded as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, bowing to significant public and political pressure, finally ordered a royal commission into the massacre. He had previously favoured an internal review of intelligence agencies.
Nine's statement concluded by acknowledging that as royal commissioner Virginia Bell begins her inquiry, 'we will have more uncomfortable conversations about what constitutes free speech.' The incident highlights the delicate balance between editorial independence, political commentary, and social responsibility in the wake of national tragedy.
