On March 20, 2024, La Presse, a major French-Canadian newspaper based in Montreal, faced widespread criticism after publishing a cartoon depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a vampire, reminiscent of antisemitic propaganda. The cartoon, which drew parallels to the vampire from the 1922 film Nosferatu and included the text “Nosfenyahu: On the Route to Rafah,” was condemned by various individuals and organizations for its antisemitic content. Critics compared the imagery to that of Der Stürmer from the 1930s and accused the Canadian government of failing to combat antisemitism effectively, suggesting that such a climate enabled mainstream media to publish offensive material. Following backlash, La Presse removed the cartoon from its platform on March 20, 2024, a move that was welcomed by B'nai Brith Canada as a step in the right direction. However, the incident sparked further controversy regarding the response of Canadian officials, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling the caricature "unacceptable" and "distasteful," while Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge declined to condemn the cartoon directly but expressed relief at its retraction on March 21, 2024. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner criticized St-Onge for not condemning the cartoon. The incident occurred amid Canada's announcement to halt military equipment sales to Israel, adding to the political charge of the situation.
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner slammed Minister of Heritage Pascale St-Onge for not condemning a cartoon that depicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a style reminiscent of Nazi-era antisemitism. https://t.co/WHpDWOyJpS
In response to La Presse’s antisemitic cartoon, Trudeau’s Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge says critiques of Israel are “normal.” https://t.co/ajAB8GtjbN
Canadian newspaper accused of antisemitism after Netanyahu cartoon https://t.co/c2j9d6qfcm
Montreal daily apologizes following backlash over Netanyahu vampire cartoon https://t.co/aaXXtFSAFt
One of Canada’s largest French media outlets has apologized for a politically charged cartoon depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a manner reminiscent of antisemitic propaganda. https://t.co/BUUP2qMGsA
A Montreal daily faces accusations of anti-Semitism over its depiction in a cartoon of #Israeli Prime Minister #BenjaminNetanyahu as a vampire. https://t.co/6xiP8YYkRv
Heritage Minister St-Onge declines to condemn antisemitic cartoon, but 'relieved' by retraction https://t.co/nJdpRSbmlR https://t.co/qriMXdXJI2
Disgraceful that the Trudeau government refuses to condemn this hideous anti-semitic cartoon in La Presse. We need a government that will stand with Jews against this odious hatred. https://t.co/G4yFMSUZGg https://t.co/daU8acI78J
Heritage Minister St-Onge declines to condemn antisemitic cartoon https://t.co/8jplFARqmb https://t.co/4n7b6aZSta
PM Trudeau weighs in on an antisemitic caricature published by La Presse, calling it "unacceptable" and "distasteful." This comes days after the Liberals announced they'll stop selling arms to Israel. https://t.co/1BJhcq2QAH https://t.co/ygMwVOWuQL
The disgusting cartoon printed in La Presse this morning is a vile and deliberate act of hatred against jews. In a time when antisemitism, the world's most ugly and enduring form of hatred, is resurfacing, this garbage needs to be condemned clearly and unequivocally by everyone.
On the heels of Canada’s announcement that they will stop permitting military equipment to Israel, a major Canadian newspaper today published a virulently antisemitic cartoon. The cartoon features Bibi Netanyahu’s face on the body of the vampire from the 1922 film Nosferatu.… https://t.co/55e54sm39B
A caricature of Prime Minister Benjamin @Netanyahu as the vampire in the movie Nosferatu was published by French-Canadian newspaper La Presse on Wednesday, resulting in accusations of antisemitism and a retraction by the Montreal outlet. https://t.co/BoWE9QHUaO
Quebec newspaper La Presse removes cartoon denounced as antisemitic https://t.co/JBzMfF74Jc
Montreal newspaper La Presse removes cartoon denounced as antisemitic https://t.co/Uje4WWZe2M https://t.co/RnNNefMs2Z
Shame on @LP_LaPresse. The Quebec news site has published this utterly disgusting blood libel depicting Netanyahu as a vampire with the text: “Nosfenyahu: On the Route to Rafah.” Canada is rapidly abandoning its Jews. https://t.co/598Vf5R2Tt
UPDATE: We are pleased that, following our advocacy, La Presse has removed the offensive cartoon from their platform. This decision is a step in the right direction and demonstrates a willingness to listen and respond to community concerns. However, it's crucial to reiterate the… https://t.co/BhHVLpuNOH
I am no fan of Netanyahu but this is vile antisemitism from @LP_LaPresse, a major French-Canadian newspaper in Montreal. When the Canadian government fails to adequately combat antisemitism, mainstream media feel empowered to publish things like this. https://t.co/IlYlhERo2p
Hard to tell. Is this Der Stürmer 1930’s or Canada 2024? Although it has now been removed, inexplicable that this Montreal publication @lapresse thought this vile antisemitic caricature was appropriate in the first place! https://t.co/dX1WlYGSOq
.@LP_LaPresse, one of Quebec's biggest newspapers, outdoes itself today with its antisemitic blood libel and Jewish nose tropes "Nosenyahu". This overt Jew hate is intolerable and the editorial board must answer for it. https://t.co/h4TFgEhU7P
No big deal, just the second-largest newspaper in French Canada caricaturing Jews as vampires. https://t.co/ehbnpTuY1r