German newspaper drops cartoonist for 'anti-Semitic' Netanyahu depiction

A German newspaper has dropped a cartoonist over a depiction of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, which was said to have "anti-Semitic cliches".

Sueddeutsche Zeitung displayed Netanyahu in the attire of Israeli Eurovision entrant Netta Barzilai, who won the competition last week.

Netanyahu is depicted holding the Star of David in one hand and a microphone in another, saying "Next year in Jerusalem".

Netanyahu used these words in a tweet to congratulate Barzilai.

Barzilai shouted something similar when she won the award, and echoes the phrase at the end of the Jewish Passover Seder.

Editor-in-chief Wolfgang Krach said the cartoon published on 15 May used "anti-Semitic cliches" and regretted its use.

Dieter Hanitzsch, 85-year-old cartoonist, said he trying to depict Netanyahu as exploitating the singer's Eurovision victory.

It follows the moving of the US embassy in Israel from the diplomatic centre Tel Aviv to the contested city of Jerusalem, which Israel claims as its capital.

Hanitzsch said the phase used by Netanyahu was "problematic ... It really does not help to pour even more oil onto the fire", referring to the Israeli killings on the Gaza border during protests against the embassy move.

The German Press Council has launched an investigation into the cartoon after complaints from readers, Reuters reported.