Jewish cartoonist quits Private Eye over controversial cover criticising Israel that he says sparked a death threat

A Jewish cartoonist has quit Private Eye over a controversial cover criticising Israel that he says sparked a death threat. 

Zoom Rockman, 23, said he felt ‘disappointed’ by the front page itself but also the satirical magazine’s management, who he claims did not respond when he told them about the message he had received.   

The cover of issue 1609 read: ‘Warning: This may contain some criticism of the Israeli government and may suggest that killing everyone in Gaza as revenge for Hamas atrocities may not be a good long-term solution to the problems of the region.’

When the cartoonist expressed his disappointment at the front page on Twitter, one of the responses said: ‘Hope both you and your extended family get to meet Hamas in person, very soon.’

Mr Rockman, who has drawn for the satirical magazine for six years, said he wrote to Private Eye’s letters page on Monday October 22 outlining his ‘problems with the cover’ and complaining that it had led to him receiving death threats. 

Zoom Rockman, 23, said he felt ‘disappointed’ by the front page itself but also the satirical magazine’s management

The Private Eye front page that offended Mr Rockman (left) and the cartoon he produced in response (right) 

The cartoonist said a response to his tweet criticising the cover contained a death threat 

Explaining the contents of the letter, he told Press Gazette: ‘[I said that] just because they made the distinction between the Israeli government and Jewish people, doesn’t mean that ignorant people won’t.

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‘Because every time this conflict flares up, just random Jewish people are targeted, and we’re seeing it more and more recently.’

Mr Rockman said he had been waiting ever since for a reply. 

‘I think after Charlie Hebdo and stuff like this, they should care about their cartoonists and whether they received death threats,’ he said. 

‘I was waiting for a response from them, and I haven’t had one… So that’s why I made the decision to quit – because I just feel very disappointed and disrespected.’

Mr Rockman has now produced his own version of the front page, which reads: ‘This cartoon may contain some criticism of Private Eye.’ 

The cartoon also changed the magazine’s masthead to ‘An eye for an eye for an eye.’

In another interview with the Jewish Chronicle, the cartoonist said he had experienced the ‘day to day’ rise in antisemitism in London.  

Mr Rockman, who has drawn for the satirical magazine for six years, said he wrote to Private Eye’s letters page on Monday October 22 outlining his ‘problems with the cover’ 

‘Because everyone’s from everywhere in London, when you meet someone new, they ask ”Where are you from?” 

‘Now I’m realising how people react when you say you’re Jewish, and you get people who are completely cold. 

‘I had it the other day. It’s just really weird. It’s things like the Private Eye cover that are exacerbating all of this.’

Private Eye was founded in 1961 and has been edited by Ian Hislop since 1986.

It is widely known for lampooning public figures and governments, and has a reputation for controversial humour. 

MailOnline has contacted the magazine for comment. 

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