This powerful political cartoon by Massoud Shojai Tabatabai delivers a sharp, satirical critique of the United Nations' reaction to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
🐊 Visual Elements:
A crocodile, anthropomorphized, stands behind a podium labeled “UNITED NATIONS”, with the UN emblem clearly visible.
The crocodile is crying profusely, large tears streaming down its face, while saying just one word: “GAZA.”
The background features the recognizable UN logo, reinforcing the institutional context.
The cartoon is dominated by blue and gray, the UN’s official color scheme, enhancing the direct symbolism.
🎯 Symbolism and Meaning:
The crocodile represents hypocrisy—a reference to the phrase “crocodile tears,” meaning fake or insincere sorrow.
By placing the crocodile at the UN podium, the artist suggests that the United Nations’ expressions of concern for Gaza are superficial, performative, and lack meaningful action.
The use of a grotesque and exaggerated figure reinforces the mockery of institutional compassion that has no real consequence for the suffering population.
📌 Message:
Massoud Shojai Tabatabai uses biting satire to call out international inaction and performative sympathy.
The cartoon implies that despite many speeches and statements, the UN has failed to take real, effective steps to stop the bloodshed in Gaza.
It is a critique not of emotion, but of empty emotion that replaces responsibility.
