Charlie Hebdo ‘severs’ Theresa May’s head
French satirical magazine mocks London Bridge attack, says Islamic State was giving fleeing pedestrians ‘diet tips’
The latest edition of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo mocks Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May and makes fun of victims of last week’s car-ramming and stabbing terror attack in the heart of London.
The cover of the satirical magazine shows May holding her own severed head under her arm. May is captioned saying “Too much is too much,” presumably in response to the cartoon’s headline: “English multiculturalism.”
Inside the magazine, caricaturist Coco has a cartoon mocking the victims of the London Bridge attack in which three terrorists killed eight people and wounded more than 40. Saturday’s attack, a combined van-ramming and stabbing spree, was claimed by Islamic State.
In the Charlie Hebdo caricature, a group of wide-eyed pedestrians are seen running for their lives, with the iconic Big Ben clock tower in the background. The caption above reads: “Dietary tips from Islamic State.” Below the cartoon, a box of text says: “Run fast!”
The cartoons prompted outrage on social media.
Twitter user Hamilton Bell wrote “At least #CharlieHebdo is smart enough to learn who they can attack without reprisals #ScrewYouGuys.” When another commenter responded “Can’t wait for Charlie Hebdo to be attacked again by terrorists, then they may lose their sick sense of humour,” Bell retorted: “I will certainly be less sympathetic next time around.”
At least #CharlieHebdo is smart enough to learn who they can attack without reprisals #ScrewYouGuys
— Capitalist Hammy B (@Ham66) June 8, 2017
British Journalist Liam Connell wrote on Twitter: “I remember supporting Charlie Hebdo during their attacks, only to be mocked by them for ours.”
https://twitter.com/LiamC0nnell/status/872773363017674753
Another Twitter user called the cartoons “downright disgusting.”
Imagine #CharlieHebdo mocking London Bridge victims. It's down right disgusting pic.twitter.com/xdGKKLXLPV
— Ms Maybach ✝️???? (@_C0Co_heaux) June 8, 2017
An American lawyer and Twitter user, Mike Machado, wrote: “Whoa, just saw that horrific Charlie Hebdo cover of PM May… I won’t put that on my timeline but really, was that even funny or necessary?”
https://twitter.com/mmachado__/status/872798457999896576
Others were more forgiving of the cartoon and did not think it was hurtful to the memory of the victims or to May.
One user defended both the magazine and American comedienne Kathy Griffin, who was recently in the headlines for holding a model of a severed head of US President Donald Trump.
“#CharlieHebdo & Kathy Griffin – its satire, not serious. I doubt Mrs May will give it a 2nd thought.Trump was a complete bastard to Griffin,” the tweet said.
https://twitter.com/Yazooo9/status/872910975841824772
In the wake of the January 2015 attacks on the headquarters of the French magazine, in which 12 people were killed and 11 others wounded, the magazine’s cartoons have become more controversial, according to the British paper Telegraph.
Critics of Charlie Hebdo say its recent, cruder output is influenced by a fall in circulation, the paper reported.
In September 2015 the magazine ran cartoons making fun of Alan Kurdi, a Kurdish Syrian toddler who was found dead on a beach near Bodrum, Turkey. The photo of the 3-year-old dead child was circulated worldwide and drew the world’s attention to the atrocities of the Syrian civil war.
The same cartoon made fun Muslim migrants in Europe, picturing a group of migrants chasing a woman. The caption read: “What would have become of little Aylan [as his name was initially reported]? A butt groper.”
The new edition of the magazine was published shortly before the June 8 general elections in Britain, in which May’s party lost seats.
The Times of Israel Community.