France 2 Report on Hamas Mickey Mouse

by France 2 News
France 2, May 14, 2007

David Pujadas: “Good evening, and welcome all, here are the news headlines of today, Monday. In international news, derives of Islamic propaganda in the Palestinian territories: children television programs use Mickey [Mouse] to preach hatred of Israel and the United States.
In international news, derives of Islamic propaganda in the Palestinian territories: It is regarding a television program targeted at very young children. And you will see the Mickey figure used to convey messages of hate.

In Jerusalem, [reporter’s name] reports.

Reporter: “Hamas has virtually annexed the Mickey character. In this show, Walt Disney’s mouse was renamed Farfur, and preaches radical Islam.”

[Farfur excerpts shown]

Reporter: “Islam, conquering and victorious across the world, is a vision appreciated by Hamas’ audience.”

Palestinian girl: “I like Farfur because he teaches us to pray five times a day and to keep and respect the laws of Islam.”

Palestinian man: “It’s a good program. There is no reason to oppose it if it amuses kids with an Islamic vision that has no connection to violence.”

Palestinian woman: “This show keeps children away from the streets where they could be susceptible to new influences.”

Reporter: “It is an indoctrination that reaches mostly militant families. The audience of Hamas TV is made up of a little over one percent [of the population] in the West Bank and eight percent of Gaza.”

Fathi Hamad (Al Aqsa television program director): “The Israeli critics of our show benefited us a lot. Not even with a million dollars could we have benefited from such publicity. I thank them.”

Reporter: “There is therefore no way to cancel Farfur even if there is little chance that Gaza’s children abandon animated cartoon shows broadcasted through major Arab satellite channels.”



link1: http://www.pmw.org.il/asx/PMW_fr2MickeyMouse.asx