The Anti-Defamation League demanded on Tuesday that the Economist apologize for an anti-Semetic cartoon published on Jan 20.
The editorial cartoon depicted two Stars of David on the US congressional shield, suggesting Israeli/Jewish influence on Congress. The image shows US President Barack Obama shackled to the shield as he reaches an outstretched hand to Iranian leaders.
The illustration was later removed and replaced with a photograph in light of reader complaints.
Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, said in a statement: "The Economist cannot repair the damage of publishing an anti-Semitic image with only half-measures. They owe their readers a full-throated apology, which not only acknowledges the offensive nature of the cartoon but explains to readers why this image implying Jewish control was so outrageous and hurtful.""This was nothing less than a visual representation of the age-old anti-Semitic canard of Jewish control. And it conjures up yet another classic anti-Semitic myth -- the accusation that Jews have 'dual loyalty' and will act only on behalf of Israel to the detriment of their own country. This is the stuff of the 'Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion,' recycled for a modern-day audience with a wink and a nod to Professors Mearsheimer and Walt and Jimmy Carter," he continued."The Economist already has a credibility problem when it comes to Israel. The fact that this cartoon passed editorial muster without raising red flags raises serious questions about its editorial judgment and the possibility of a more deeply ingrained bias against the Jewish State," Foxman added.