The Washington Post takes down cartoon amid backlash for a racist depiction of Palestinians and Arabs

“Our section is aimed at finding commonalities, understanding the bonds that hold us together, even in the darkest times,” Shipley wrote. “In this spirit, we have taken down the drawing.”

On the other hand, the opinions section also ran several letters criticizing the decision to run the cartoon.

Social media users called it “in poor taste,” criticizing the publication

In a post on Instagram, Palestinian-American poet Remi Kanazi wrote: “This is the Washington Post. This is the kind of anti-Palestinian racism that’s acceptable for publication.”

Left-wing British activist Owen Jones called the cartoon an example of “racist dehumanization.”

The cartoon by Michael Ramirez, titled “Human Shields,” featured a man with a large nose and snarling mouth, labeled “Hamas,” standing bound with ropes to four alarmed children and a cowering woman in a hijab. “How dare Israel attack civilians …” he says.