The Hamas-run Al-Aq’sa TV removed a controversial children’s program from its programming on Wednesday, at the request of the Palestinian Ministry of Information.
The program featured a Mickey Mouse-like character called Farfur, encouraging Palestinian children to take up arms against
Palestinian Information Minister Mu’stafa Barghouthi, an independent who is not aligned with Fatah or Hamas, said the program had adopted a “mistaken approach” to the Palestinian cause. He said the ministry had placed the program under review.
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Al-Aq’sa TV has fully complied with the ministry’s request, he said.
The station’s usage of the Disney-like character to convey political messages was widely covered in the Western media.
Barghouthi said in a statement that his office would continue to ensure freedom of expression and freedom of the press, but added that media outlets breaking the law would be penalized.
Hamas launched Al-Aq’sa TV last year.