Belgian daily runs cartoon seen to label Jewish area ‘Coronavirus Village’
Drawing in Le Soir by artist Pierre Kroll claiming that strictly-Orthodox people in the Antwerp have Covid-19
A Belgian daily is under fire for a cartoon that critics say refers to the Orthodox Jewish neighbourhood of Antwerp as “coronavirus village.”
The August 7 drawing in Le Soir by artist Pierre Kroll, who has fought off allegations of antisemitism for several previous drawings, shows a tourist bus under the title “Go Visit Antwerp.” An Orthodox Jewish man is cycling nearby without wearing a face mask, several of which are seen on the ground around the bus. A speech balloon above the bus driver reads: “After the zoo, we’ll go tour ‘Coronavirus Village’.”
Richard Kennigsman, a well-known Jewish-Belgian satirist, wrote on Facebook that while has “not called Kroll an antisemite, his painting may be considered as such.”
Joel Rubinfeld, the president of the Belgian League Against antisemitism, said the caricature “again shows that Kroll obsessively returns to Jews in his works.” The August 7 caricature is “subtle in comparison to previous Kroll works,” Rubinfeld added, including one of a lavishly dressed Jewish diamond dealer smiling while visiting the tax office amid unhappy and poor visitors.
In a 2010 interview for L’avenir, Kroll said he “can’t stand being accused of antisemitism” because he is not, and he has “many Jewish friends.”
The Orthodox Jewish community of Antwerp has had fewer than 20 deaths from the coronavirus, largely thanks to an early and vigilant adherence to anti-contagion measures.
Le Soir and two of its senior editors did not respond to JTA’s request for comment.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
