[UPDATE: Saw on Current TV this morning a report that the Palestinian government wanted the Hamas Mouse axed and said that the strategy of indoctrinating Children with political messages was unacceptable. Of course the Current TV host interpreted this to mean, "Okay, guys, you caught us so we will have to stop." It is unclear whether Hamas will comply...after all they are not known for their sensitivity. I wonder if it was political pressure or threats from the Disney Imperial Lawyers that led to the Palestinian government's statement...]
Hamas has a new spokesmouse. Yes...spokesmouse. Hamas is using a mouse to encourage Palestinians to deliver its message calling for the complete destruction of Israel. Problem is, the mouse, named Farfur, is a dead ringer for a certain Disney icon:
Image from Palestinian Media Watch [1] (an Israeli organization)
The show that uses Mickey...er, I mean Farfur, is reported to be sophisticated and funny, even if it's main character is ripped off from Disney. This is where Hamas has great skill. They know to target future generations with their message. While Bush is creating enemies for generations [2] and Olmert is botching wars, Hamas is teaching the next generations of Palestinians that the destruction of Israel is god's will and something that they should dedicate their lives to. Much as I find Hamas to be a disgusting terrorist organization, their strategic skill is currently better than that of either Bush or Olmert, and we need to learn lessons from them. Now I am not suggesting a Moishe Mouse character teaching kids about the two state solution, but Hamas got where it is by reaching out to people, setting up schools and hospitals and, basically, community activism. They don't just strap explosives to people and send them off to kill innocent civilians. They also build the trust and confidence of the Palestinians. I advocated since before 9/11 that you don't win by being the world's bully. You win by working with people to build a stable life. Look at Afghanistan and Iraq. Look at Palestine. We have not done there what we did for defeated Germany and Japan. And the consequences are pretty much what you would expect.
I am openly pro-Israel but in a context where I recognize Israel and Palestine have an exactly equal right to exist, have the same historical roots and the same legal basis for existence. But neither nation can prosper as long as they are at perpetual war with eachother. That is why Likud and Hamas and their supporters are BOTH bad for BOTH Israel and Palestine. Sadly, I don't see a short term solution, though I have suggested ways of working towards long term solutions (e.g. here [3], and here [4] for anyone who wants to help REALLY build a future for Israel and Palestine). But I do know that teaching Israeli and Palestinian children to perpetuate the fratricidal murder of their fellow Canaanites is NOT the right solution.
One thing Hamas may be ignoring here, and who knows, it could be their downfall. Disney is notoriously vicious in defending its trademarks and copyrights... They will not be pleased with Farfur the Mickey Clone. A word of warning to Hamas: Don't mess with the Mouse!
(Evil Mickey image from here [5]...and a bow to Disney [6], the origin of the Mouse)
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