LOS ANGELES - A politically motivated comic book pitting a blond superhero called "Foreskin Man" against a sinister-looking "Monster Mohel" is causing a serious flap in California.
The colorful series was created by the "intactivist" group MGMBill.org as part of its campaign to ban circumcision through ballot initiatives.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is blasting it as overtly anti-Semitic.
"'Foreskin Man,' with its grotesque anti-Semitic imagery and themes, reaches a new low and is disrespectful and deeply offensive," Nancy J. Appel, ADL Associate Regional Director, said in a statement Friday.
The online series portrays a menacing-looking mohel - someone specially trained to perform the traditional Jewish circumcision ceremony - waving bloody scissors over a screaming baby laid out on a pool table.
Appel said the imagery invokes the "age-old anti-Semitic canards" such as the blood libel, the accusation that Jews ritually murder Christian children.
Matthew Hess, the president of MGMBill and the series creator, did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
His San Diego-based group has an anti-circumcision measure on the ballot in San Francisco's next election in November.
"We would have hoped those backing the anti-circumcision effort in San Francisco would know better than to use this type of anti-Semitic imagery to advance their cause," Appel said.
"No matter what one's personal opinions of male circumcision, it is irresponsible to use stereotypical caricatures of religious Jews to promote the anti-circumcision agenda."
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