Hamas

The tale of soldier Shalit

Sophie — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:22:48 +0200

This video was released on YouTube by the Israeli Consulate in New York. The children are reading a story that was written by Gilad Shalit, a soldier who has been held by Hamas since his kidnap in 2006. Written when he was eleven, the story is a tale of a fish and a shark making friends. There's an obvious comparison to be drawn with the Israel-Palestine conflict, although each camp will no doubt interpret it differently.

According to the Consul for Media and Public Affairs, the purpose of the video is to "raise awareness of this humanitarian issue in the United States and around the world. A multiethnic selection of students reading this story of peace and reconciliation sends a powerful message that cannot be ignored".

“Hamas and Fatah take a great step forward”

Julien — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:41:12 +0100

Fatah and Hamas had – officially – cut off contact with each other since Hamas seized control of Gaza this past June. However, while in Yemen recently for talks they signed a joint declaration of "reconciliation". Our Palestinian Observer believes this agreement could aid the peace process.

Assoud, the Hamas 'holy war' rabbit

Julien — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:45:02 +0100

The Hamas TV channel Al-aqsa has been broadcasting an "educational" programme for 7-13 year-olds called "Tomorrow's Pioneers" for almost a year now. Watching young presenter Saraa Barhoum talking to a big teddy animal on a colourful set, you'd think it was like any other children's programme. But if you understand what she's saying, you might find subject topics a bit different from those going on on Button Moon. That's because the content of the show is saturated with Hamas ideology. The result? Endearing cuddly characters with squeaky voices conveying anti-Zionist and anti-occidental messages, hailing Muslims and conversion to Islam and encouraging the holy war and martyrs.