Hamas has yet again chosen a loveable Disney character to spew its political message into the homes of Palestinian children.
In this new example of youth-oriented propaganda, a five-and-a-half minute chilling cartoon features Hamas, represented by a proud lion akin to Simba of Disney's 1994 "The Lion King," reigning victorious over Fatah, portrayed as a gang of armed, spineless, and money-grubbing rats.
The cartoon, which opens with the title "A message to the criminal gangs in the occupied West Bank," was aired on Hamas-run Al Aqsa TV and later posted online and translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute, a non-profit Washington-based organization that reports on Mideast media.
Dramatic music plays throughout the cartoon, as the gang of Fatah rats invades Gaza under the watchful eye of a calm, proud Hamas lion. In the end, the lion uses his fierce roar and claws to defeat the rats, who are sent scurrying back to the West Bank.
The rat's leader, clearly a representation of former Fatah leader in Gaza, Mohammed Dahlan, is shown wearing a tie, smoking a cigar and throwing dollars into the air as the gang of rats runs through Gaza with Israeli and American weapons, destroying homes, institutions and mosques.
Dahlan's actual voice is dubbed into the cartoon, as he addresses the crowd, saying "Snipers or no snipers -- move back and let Hamas shoot me." These comments were made by the Fatah strongman, who has now fled Gaza, during a clash with Hamas.
Hamas TV executive, Hazem Sharawi, said that the video was shown Thursday after Fatah distributed anti-Hamas propaganda in the West Bank, but that a toned-down version, not including the images of Dahlan, would be re-shown.
"Viewers from all over loved it. They called in to praise it," stated Sharawi.
According to Sharawi, the Lion King reference would not be cut out: "Disney stole a lion from the forest. We stole another lion," he said
Fatah spokesman Hazem Abu Shanab said that, though he had not seen the video, it demonstrates that Hamas "is stuck to the idea that they can control and take over with power, only without brain usage."
This past spring, Hamas used a Mickey Mouse look-alike character to preach Islamic domination and hatred of Jews on the children's television program, Tomorrow's Pioneers. In an episode last May, the mouse, Farfur, was shown beaten to death by an Israeli official, and hailed for his martyrdom. Farfur was replaced by Nahoul, a giant bee, and the weekly show continues.
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.