TEHRAN- The third edition of the International Holocide Cartoon, Caricature and Poster Contest seeks artistic responses to ongoing tragedy in Gaza, Iranian cartoonist Masoud Shojai Tabatabai has said. 

He made the remarks during a press conference held at Tehran's Art Bureau, on the first anniversary of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, which took place on October 7.

The devastating crisis in Gaza, which currently ranks among the world's most lethal regions, has prompted the announcement of the third International Holocide Cartoon, Caricature and Poster Contest, he said. 

The region has witnessed skyrocketing hunger rates due to ongoing conflict, along with unprecedented casualties, including the highest numbers of deaths and injuries in a year, numerous child amputations, and the deaths of journalists, medical personnel, and first responders.

Heavy bombardments, severe air and water pollution, and the widespread use of chemical weapons—equivalent to the explosion of four atomic bombs—have severely crippled both the environment and infrastructure of Gaza, he explained and added: “The United Nations estimates that recovery efforts will take over 15 years, even as makeshift camps for displaced persons continue to be targeted. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 42,000 individuals have been killed as a direct result of the Israeli military operations in Gaza since October 7 of last year, with a significant number of these casualties being women and children. Injuries have surpassed 100,000 since the onset of the conflict.”

Described as "Holocide," the situation transcends mere genocide and Holocaust; it aims at the complete destruction of the social fabric and environment of Gaza, signifying an attempt to annihilate Palestinian identity entirely, he noted.  

Regarding the different sections of the event, Shojai Tabatabai explained that the competition will explore several pressing themes. 

The first theme for the cartoon and poster sections is ‘Holocide,’ where participants are challenged to depict the catastrophic agenda pursued by the Israeli regime, which extends beyond the direct killings and represents a complete obliteration of Gaza’s social and environmental frameworks, equating to the total annihilation of Palestine.

The second theme is ‘Genocide,’ which calls attention to the heinous crime of genocide resulting from the Israeli regime's apartheid and racial discrimination policies against the Palestinian people. Lastly, the theme of ‘Double Standards’ addresses the contradiction of the U.S. government's professed support for Palestinian rights while simultaneously aiding Israel militarily and politically.

In the portrait section, artists are invited to create caricatures of notable Israeli figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir. The International Court of Justice has labeled Netanyahu and Galant as war criminals, while Ben Gvir has a criminal indictment related to racism.

Artists participating in the competition must adhere to specific regulations. Each artist may submit up to five works per designated theme, and submissions must not have previously won an award. 

Prizes for the competition include a Grand Prize of €5,000 along with a trophy and diploma for the best work in any category. In the Cartoon, Caricature, and Poster sections, cash prizes will be awarded to the top three entries, along with special awards for notable works. For each section, the first-place winner will receive €3,000, the second-place winner €2,000, the third-place winner €1,000, and two special awards of €500 each.

The deadline for submission is December 5, 2024. Participants whose works advance to the initial jury phase will receive an electronic attendance certificate, while winners will receive a printed version of the winner's book. 

This competition aims to draw global attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza and inspire artistic expressions of solidarity and advocacy for peace.

SAB/