Cartoon sparks claims of antisemitism
David Rowe’s cartoon based on E. Phillips Fox painting of Captain Cook’s landing at Botany Bay portrays Scott Morrison as Cook and Treasurer Josh Frydenburg as a sailor, complete with what appears to be a yarmulke, dollar sign and a hook nose.
The cartoon was published in this weekend’s Australian Financial Review drawing many comments on Twitter and an exchange between David Rowe and The Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin.
E. Phillips Fox’s work
David Rowe’s work
Alex Ryvchin tweeted the cartoonist:
and received this reply: “Hi alex, it is josh but he’s wearing a sailors cap as per the ephillips fox painting of Cooks landing. and yes he’s carrying a dollar harpoon because he’s the treasurer as for the nose it’s just a quick sketch .apologies if you thought I was suggesting something else”
However, the character in the original painting which Josh Frydenberg depicts is not wearing a head covering.
Tweets received by David Rowe’s Twitter account included those saying “Well this is antisemitisn…vile”, “little bit of a racist depiction of the treasurer there”, “you’ve gone way too far – Appalling and totally unreasonable depiction of our fellow Australian, Josh Frydenberg”, “Frydenberg with a hooked nose and a kippah? And a dollar sign? Really? Do better.”
Alex Ryvchin told J-Wire: “Many in the community and broader public were justifiably concerned by the cartoon. I felt it was important to seek a clarification from David Rowe before drawing conclusions and I’m pleased to have received that confirmation. I trust greater care will be taken in future.”
J-Wire approached Josh Frydenberg for a comment.
Hi Alex, I hope I’m not misinterpreting your Tweet! Did you let Rowe get away with that lying disingenuous response about the depiction of Frydenberg?