Moroccan Cartoonist Saad Jalal Breaks Taboos on Gender and Society Amid Israel Ties
In 2022, Saad Jalal became the first Moroccan cartoonist to exhibit in Israel, participating in the Animix Festival in Tel Aviv. During his visit, he engaged with the Moroccan-Jewish community in Migdal HaEmek, noting their pride in their heritage and language. This encounter led to a historic artistic exchange in January 2025, when Israeli cartoonists visited Jalal's studio in Tangier, marking the first time an independent Arab art center hosted such a delegation. Jalal acknowledges the sensitivity of collaborating with Israelis in Morocco, facing criticism and resistance from some local artists, but emphasizes the importance of art in breaking barriers and fostering dialogue beyond political tensions.
Jalal’s work has evolved from political satire to focusing on human rights, particularly Moroccan women's rights. He conducts workshops in schools and universities to address gender equality, discrimination, and taboo topics like single motherhood and premarital sex, using cartoons as a gentle yet powerful educational tool. He highlights the gap between legal protections for women and their real-life enforcement, citing issues like workplace harassment and polygamy, which persist despite laws and reforms supported by King Mohammed VI.
The cartoonist stresses that caricature is meant to provoke thought and critique ideas or authorities, not to incite hatred or dehumanize groups. He defends freedom of expression, including the right to publish controversial cartoons, while condemning censorship and threats. Jalal warns against the rise of moral censorship under the guise of "woke" culture, which he believes can stifle artistic freedom. He identifies public indifference as the greatest long-term threat to cartooning, more than authority, religious extremism, or social media distortions.
On a personal note, Jalal shared the profound impact of losing his six-year-old son to cancer after four years of treatment. This tragedy reshaped his perspective, especially during his recent visit to Israel amid conflict, where he saw the war through the eyes of a father concerned for children’s safety. The birth of his new son Amir has helped him cope with his grief, though he acknowledges a permanent loss.
Jalal’s journey reflects a commitment to using art as a bridge between cultures and a catalyst for social change, despite challenges from political sensitivities and societal taboos in Morocco.
