A new deck of playing cards designed by peace activists that has gone viral and sold out online has branded US politicians as “war criminals” over their support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza — and has taken aim exclusively at Democrats.
In addition to President Joe Biden and his cabinet, the deck — reminiscent of the “Most Wanted” cards issued by the US military as it hunted down Iraqi officials following the toppling of Saddam Hussein — features Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders.
Clinton, the former Democratic Party nominee for president, is the Three of Hearts while her 2016 primary opponent, Sanders, is a Joker.
Both are branded “failed presidential candidate.”
Former President Obama is also featured as a Joker in the new deck of cards, which was launched by a group of peace activists that include Ashish Prashar, a former adviser to British leaders Tony Blair and Boris Johnson.
“Hillary has been deployed to talk on behalf of the administration,” said Prashar, who recently landed in the news when he, along with his toddler son, were assaulted on a Brooklyn playground by a woman who was outraged over his wearing a Palestinian-style scarf.
“The background on the Obama and Bernie cards — why they’re Jokers — is that they were Palestine’s biggest allies and they let them down,” Prashar said. He added that the deck contains “no Republicans because they are not in a position of power on foreign policy.”
Since it became available on Jan. 25, the deck — which goes for $35 — has sold more than 10,000 copies and is currently out of stock with the next batch slated to be shipped in March, Prashar said.
Proceeds are being directed to a children’s medical fund in Gaza.
In addition to casting Biden as the Ace of Spades, the card deck features top White House cabinet members including Secretary of State Antony Blinken (King of Spades) and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (Queen of Spades).
Vice President Kamala Harris only rates as the Five of Spades because “she has less power on day to day decisions,” according to Prashar, adding that the group drew from an Axios story as it devised the suits and rankings.
“It’s based on casino treatment of the suits,” Prashar said, noting that White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre only rates as the Ten of Clubs, with clubs being among the weaker suits.
Other cards in the deck in addition to US Democrats include Israeli officials led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Ace of Diamonds).
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Ariel Zilber
