Washington Post's Controversial Removal of Anti-Hamas Cartoon Sparks Outrage and Apology

Political cartoonist Michael Ramirez speaks out after The Washington Post pulled his cartoon mocking Hamas, citing internal and external backlash. Ramirez defends his cartoon, titled "Human shields," which depicts Hamas using civilians as human shields. While the Post retracted the cartoon, Ramirez's employer, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, stands behind it. Ramirez criticizes the restriction of free speech and the erasure of boundaries when it comes to Hamas. He reveals his working relationship with the Post opinions editor and expresses disappointment over the episode. Ramirez will continue working with the Post but reassess their relationship. He emphasizes the importance of open debate and addresses the "systematic undermining of the freedom of speech." The Washington Post declined to comment further.