Introduction
There was a conspicuous absence of articles in the Arab press on the June 12, 2009 Iranian elections and the subsequent wave of public protests. [1] This dearth of opinion articles on the events in Iran as they unfolded sharply contrasted with the abundance of cartoons, in various Arab newspapers, that were harshly critical of the Iranian regime's oppressive quelling of the civil protests; of the Iranian clerics, foremost among them Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who rallied in support of Ahmadinejad; and of the regime's vain attempts to stop media coverage of the events.
Other topics addressed by the cartoons included the popular uprising, the vote-rigging, and the distortion of the democratic process during the elections, as well as Iran's pseudo-democracy and the question of who was the real election victor.
Following is a selection of cartoons from the Arab press on Iran's election:
Criticism of Vote-Rigging in the Election and of Iran's Pseudo- Democracy
What a Vote in the Iranian Elections Is Really Worth
Cartoonist: 'Abdallah Jaber.
Source: Al-Jazirah (Saudi Arabia), June 26, 2009.
"Iranian Elections"
Cartoonist: Muhammad Saba'ne.
Source: Al-Hayat Al-Jadida (PA), June 21, 2009.
"Iranian Truths"
On the left: "Peaceful use of nuclear energy";
On the right: "Legitimate winner of free and open elections."
Source: Al-Jarida (Kuwait), June 21, 2009.
The Iranian Regime's Suppression of the Civil Revolt
Iranian Protestor Bleeds to Death Beside a Sign Saying "Where Are Our Votes?"
Cartoonist: 'Abdallah Jaber.
Source: Al-Jazirah (Saudi Arabia), July 5, 2009.
Iranian Street Rises Up Against Basij, Asking "Where's My Vote?"
Cartoonist: 'Abdallah Mahraqi.
Source: Akhbar Al-Khaleej (Bahrain), June 20, 2009.
Death Emerges From the Ballot Box into the Iranian Street
Cartoonist: 'Alaa Laqta.
Source: Falastin (PA), June 23, 2009.
Khamenei Guards the Election Results, Ignores the Civil Revolt
Cartoonist: Hassan Bleibel.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal (Lebanon), June 20, 2009.
Ahmadinejad Shouts "Stop" to Wave Of "Protests"
Cartoonist: 'Aadel Sa'id.
Source: Al-Nadwa (Saudi Arabia), June 16, 2009.
The Iranian Regime's Attempts to Resist the New Revolution
Khamenei Tears Green Stripe (Associated with Mousavi) Off Iranian Flag
Cartoonist: Jihad 'Awartani
Source: Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia), June 26, 2009.
Iran Shackled By Clerics
Cartoonist: Hassan Bleibel.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal (Lebanon), June 24, 2009.
An Iranian Ayatollah Burns the Green Revolution Flag
Cartoonist: 'Aamer Al-Zo'abi.
Source: Akhbar Al-'Arab (UAE), July 5, 2009.
Khamenei Threatens to Destroy the Fruit of the Revolution
On the background: Security Forces Brutally Beat Protesters
Source: Al-Akhbar (Lebanon), June 20, 2009.
Khamenei, Iranian Clerics Rally in Support of Ahmadinejad
Iranian Leader Khamenei Helps Ahmadinejad through "International Sanctions," "[Hostile] Media Campaign," "Election Crisis"
Source: 'Okaz (Saudi Arabia), July 5, 2009.
Khamenei Orders to Stop the Riots; Supports Ahmadinejad
Cartoonist: Stavro Jabra.
Source: Al-Balad (Lebanon), June 20, 2009.
Council of Experts Representative Tries to Restart Ahmadinejad's Car
Cartoonist: Amjad Rasmi.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), July 5, 2009.
Iranian Regime's Vain Attempts to Stop Coverage of Protests
Iran's Attempts to Stop Coverage of Protests - Like Trying to Block Out the Sun with a Sieve
Cartoonist: Amjad Rasmi.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), June 27, 2009.
Iranian Regime's Vain Attempts To Block Internet Media
Cartoonist: Jihad 'Awartani.
Source: Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia), June 24, 2009.
Who Is the Real Winner of the Elections?
"Terrorism" and "Nuclear Program" Jump for Joy at Ahmadinejad's Election Win
Source: Muhammad Al-'Adwani.
Source: Al-Jarida (Kuwait), June 18, 2009.
Iranian President Ahmadinejad's Election Win - The Victory of Aggression Policy
Cartoonist: Muhammad Saba'ene.
Source: Al-Hayat Al-Jadida (PA), June 14, 2009.
The Big Winner of the Iranian Elections: Khamenei
Cartoonist: Amjad Rasmi.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), June 13, 2009.
*E. Glass is a research fellow at MEMRI.
Endnote:
[1] On the protests, see MEMRI Inquiry and Analysis No. 526, "Elections in Iran - Part IV: The Protests - A Civil Revolution?" June 18, 2009, Elections in Iran – Part IV: The Protests – A Civil Revolution? ; MEMRI Inquiry and Analysis No. 529, "Elections in Iran - Part V: The Waning of the Protest Movement," June 29, 2009, Elections in Iran – Part V: The Waning of the Protest Movement.
