The excellent Israeli political cartoonist, Mysh, has just drawn a powerful, disturbing image for Israel’s 66th Independence Day.
It’s important to note the puppet on Adelson’s hand is the original Israeli sabra wearing the kova tembel (fool’s hat). It’s a complicated visual reference. Either the doll represents Adelson’s image of a nostalgic out of date Israel which he believes he’s supporting; or the doll is a fool (Israel) whom Adelson is manipulating; or the doll represents Bibi, for whom Adelson is chief financial benefactor. Adelson’s finger seems to be tickling the doll, another icky aspect of the visual image. Whatever Adelson is doing to Israeli politics and journalism, it ain’t tickling!
There’s also something about Adelson’s image in this cartoon that is chilling. He looks a bit like a well-tended corpse. He reminds me of the way Frankenstein is often drawn in cartoons. That cartoonish figure is also an apt reference in this case since Frankenstein is a monster given life by his creator, Dr. Frankenstein.
Another important point not to miss is the sea of green (dollar bills) in the background which represent the hundreds of millions he bestows on Israel both through charity and through more nefarious means used to manipulate the political echelon and the Fourth Estate. Adelson represents a deep and profound corruption within Israeli society which he both fuels and exploits.
Adelson also represents a deep corruption in US society even though he has not been so successful in the US.
○ Mysh comic: ‘The health of the nation’
Indeed, search for Mysh comics delivers scarce hits.
Where will this cartoon be seen outside this site? (I confess to not understanding or participating in facebook).