France 2 Report on Hamas Mickey Mouse
David Pujadas: “Good evening and welcome to all. Here are the news headlines for today, Monday. In international news, results of Islamic propaganda in the Palestinian territories: Children’s television programs use Mickey [Mouse] to preach hatred of Israel and the United States.
In international news, results of Islamic propaganda in the Palestinian territories, regarding a television program targeting 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 hijacked the Mickey character. In this show, Walt Disney’s mouse has been 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 broadcast through major Arab satellite channels.”
[France 2 News, May 14, 2007]