NEW YORK (VINnews) – Politico removed a political cartoon from its website after backlash from readers who said the image relied on antisemitic themes, with editors stating it “did not meet our standards.”

The illustration, created by Sean Delonas, showed Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu wearing blood-stained Jewish prayer shawls while seated in a small boat moving toward a waterfall marked “Iran.” The image also included the word “Amalek,” a biblical reference that has appeared in political discourse surrounding Israel’s military actions.

Critics said the cartoon echoed long-standing antisemitic imagery. Netanyahu was drawn with an exaggerated nose, and Trump was depicted as heavily overweight, elements observers said reflected historical stereotypes. A blood-stained money bag positioned above the figures was also cited as invoking tropes about Jewish wealth and influence.

NEW: Politico removed a cartoon featuring anti-Semitic imagery in an attempt to criticize the war in Iran following a Free Beacon report. The image depicts President Donald Trump, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Republican members of Congress wearing blood-covered… pic.twitter.com/v4ocwwEYVx

— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) March 28, 2026

Other political figures appeared in the image, including Lindsey Graham, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance. A banner reading “Ship of Neocons” was shown, language some critics view as coded references in debates about foreign policy.

The cartoon was part of Politico’s weekly collection of syndicated political illustrations. The outlet said it aims to present a range of viewpoints but added that all material must adhere to editorial standards.

“Provocative imagery can be part of political commentary,” the publication said, but added that content drawing on ethnic stereotypes or historically offensive tropes falls outside its guidelines.

The artwork drew on themes from Hieronymus Bosch’s “Ship of Fools,” reinterpreted with modern political figures.

Politico did not explain how the cartoon was approved before publication.