October 26, 2004

Talking animal promotes massacre with AK-47 on PA TV program for Palestinian children

The talking mujahid

The full article at PMW shows a picture from a second-grade Palestinian textbook, depicting Israeli soldiers destroying trees. In that context it is quite clear who the "little boy" is. From Palestinian Media Watch, with thanks to Thor:

Talking animals are commonplace on broadcasting for young children around the world. They are used to entertain and educate in a way that makes it easy for children to internalize educational messages. A children’s program this week on official Palestinian Authority (PA) TV was dedicated to the importance of trees. "Tarabisho" - the Talking Chick -- was, as usual, at the center of the discussion. The child moderator asked the talking chick what he would do if someone, specifically a “little boy,” were to chop down his tree. In his squeaky little voice, Tarabisho answered that he would shoot the little boy with an AK-47 automatic rifle, create a massacre, make a riot, etc. It should be noted that the child moderator twice checks her notes while asking the questions, indicating that this was not a spontaneous discussion but was a deliberate educational message, planned by the writers and producers. Click here to see the footage from PA TV. [...]The following is the full text of the dialogue between the child moderator and Tarabisho, the Talking Chick: Girl: “If a boy comes in front of your house where a tree is planted, and cuts it down, what would you do?”

Talking Chick: “I have two trees in front of my house.”

Girl: “If a little boy cuts them down, what will you do to him?”

Talking Chick: “What I'll do to him?
I'll fight him and make a big riot,
I'll call the whole world and make a riot.
I'll bring AK-47s [assault rifles] and the whole world,
I'll commit a massacre in front of the house".