EU logo prominent in PA TV quiz in which "Palestine" replaces Israel
in which "Palestine" replaces Israel
Haifa presented as "Palestinian city"
By Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik
Palestinian Authority TV displayed the EU logo on the TV screen as background to a quiz question that denied Israel's existence, by presenting the Israeli city Haifa as "a Palestinian coastal city." The question was broadcast daily as a promo for the second season of the weekly quiz show The Stars on PA TV. The first season was sponsored by the EU.
The question posed to the TV viewers was:
1. Ramallah
2. Bethlehem
3. Haifa
... Call the number that appears on the screen and win $500."
PA TV is under the direct control of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's office.
In November 2009, PA TV introduced a weekly quiz program entitled The Stars. The first season was funded by the European Union and the quiz questions all related to Europe, covering topics such as history, geography, personalities, government, culture, arts, and sports. Each program featured competing representatives from two Palestinian Authority universities or colleges. In January 2010 the competition ended, and the last program showed a prize ceremony with the participation of Minister of Welfare Majda Al-Masri; Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake; and director of the MAAN news agency, Nasser A-Lahham.
In May 2010 a new series of the program was announced which is being sponsored by the cell phone company Jawwal. Palestinian Media Watch has been unable to verify whether this season is also sponsored by the EU as the prominent use of the logo indicates.