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From
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/opinion.asp?ArticleID=33364
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Here's looking at you, Israel
Dubai | By Najla Al Rostamani | 23/11/2001 During the past week, a
television programme called Irhabiat broadcast on Abu
Dhabi satellite television has seen strong reactions from the
Israeli government.
Here is an overview of the issue and reactions in the Arab press.
"Sharonism" to "Terrorism"
The programme is being aired daily on the Abu Dhabi satellite channel
since
the beginning of Ramadan. The comedy depicts Israeli Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon
as a blood-thirsty killer. Many scenes are based on historical and
real events.
The famous Kuwaiti comedian Dawood Hussein plays Sharon's role.
Changed from
being called "Sharonism" to "Terrorisms", the screenplay is written
by Egyptian
Yussef Ma'ati, who has worked with some of the most famous
comedians in the
Arab world such as Adel Imam and Sameer Ghanem.
One of the scenes shows Sharon waving with a bottle filled with the blood of
Arab children, quenching his thirst with each sip. In another scene, a character
playing dracula sucks blood from Sharon's neck but drops dead because of the
infected blood.
Clips of the programme were aired on one of Israel's private television channels.
In an interview with Israeli military radio, Israel's Foreign Minister Shimon
Peres said: "I am sickened. This reveals the appalling level of this television
channel."
Israeli Cabinet Secretary Gideon Saar said the Israeli government views the
programme gravely. He told a press conference that it was anti-Semitic and spreads
hatred. In addition, Saar said Peres was instructed to file a complaint with
the UN and Unesco against the series.
The Israeli government also decided to send copies of the programme to foreign
embassies as evidence. Israel had once rejected an Egyptian protest against
an Israeli comedy programme that depicted Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak
satirically.
The Israeli government labelled the protest as evidence of the Egyptians "lack
of understanding of satirical art."
Hamdan's reaction
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has
expressed his astonishment at Israel's reaction. "Israel and international Zionism
have used these films (attacking Arabs and Muslims) against us directly and
no one heeded our repeated calls to stop them." He stressed that Arabs should
understand how Israelis think and react to such programmes.
Counter attacks
In his reaction to the Israeli government's objections, Dawood said he vows
to use satire as a means to criticise Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
"Satire is the weapon I will not renounce, and through which I will show people
the barbarity of the Zionist entity," he said in an interview. He added that
by "making this programme, we want to highlight the heroic operations undertaken
by the valiant fighters of the Intifada who sacrificed their souls and blood
for their just cause."
Dawood added that he is not anti-Semitic, but that Sharon "is a blood-thirsty
man who has massacred many. Even Belgian judicial authorities have filed a lawsuit
against Sharon for crimes committed against humanity. It is not surprising that
we expose such acts because we have experienced them.
"Does Israel not boast about its democracy and claims to be a democratic country?
We also have a right to express our opinion of Israel."
Dawood added that if what he has presented in the programme is not reflective
of the truth, Peres would not have objected so vehemently. "I personally do
not care what Peres or anyone else says because I want to join the Intifada
in supporting it. I wanted to use the weapon that I have mastered: comedy."
Dawood said Hollywood and the West have produced countless films and programmes
against Arabs and Muslims, and that this series is only a drop in the ocean.
When asked if the programme will be stopped following the objections, Dawood
said the issue lies with Abu Dhabi channel because it is the producer and has
the authority to stop airing it.
The programme's Kuwaiti director, Ahmad Al Dhoghagi, said Israel has always
fought Arabs and Muslims and no one has done what Israel has. He added that
the programme depicts the truth by exposing Sharon's barbaric character. He
further added that numerous people have praised the programme.
Response from Emirates Media and Abu Dhabi TV
Ahmad Ali Al Baloushi, Head of Emirates Media, said the television channel would
continue to air the programme throughout Ramadan. He added that if the programme
has irritated the Israeli government then it is possible to produce a second
part.
In his reaction to Peres' comments, Ismail Abdallah, Head of Abu Dhabi Radio
and TV, said Peres seems to have "lost his sense of humour". He added: "Instead
of Israel being angry at the media, it should examine closely its policies and
put an end to shooting and killing of Palestinians."
Reactions of columnists
A number of columnists have also written about Israel's reaction to the programme.
Ahmad Al Rab'e writing in London-based Asharq Al Awsat says Israel's objections
are unjustifiable. They are protesting against a drama whose weapon is decor,
makeup and cameras. "It is as if we are looking at a civilised group of people
who hate violence and spread peace in the world," Al Rab'e added.
Though Israel could not tolerate a comedy programme, Al Rab'e says, Arabs and
Palestinians had to tolerate mass killings that have spawned in a period of
50 years, without any right to object.
"Israel now just needs to assign individuals to monitor each and every Arab
television station." This, Al Rab'e says, is to ensure that none of the programmes
will cause anger in Israel, or destroy its myth of being a messiah of peace
and tranquility. "When one looks at the latest Israeli moves and objections against
the programme, one would think that we are looking at a country that's
hobby is to give out flowers and sweets to its neighbours."
Mohammad Al Hammadi of Al Ittihad (UAE), questions the concept of accepting
"others' opinion", as proclaimed by so-called "Israeli democracy". Israel, Al
Hammadi continues, claims to be the only democracy in the region. Yet, Sharon
has terrorised militarily, politically and economically. "How can Sharon dare
to terrorise us intellectually and prevent us from expressing our feelings and
beliefs?" Al Hammadi added.
He wonders whether the UN will ask the television channel to ban the programme
or will it call for a meeting of the Security Council, or perhaps, even consult
the Council's five permanent members on the issue.
Al Hammadi also says if the daily massacres committed by Sharon in Palestine
have not moved the UN to comment, let alone take action against the Israeli
government, then perhaps the programme's sketches are an incentive for the UN
to do something.
Mohammed Zain of Kuwaiti Al Qabas has expressed his delight at the channel's
insistence to continue airing the show. "Sharon is a terrorist and has been
and still is killing Palestinian children, an act that he enjoys and takes pride
in," Zain says.
Even the BBC has aired a documentary indicating Sharon's role in the
Sabra and
Shatila massacres. Both programmes, that of BBC and Abu Dhabi TV,
are a reflection
of reality and are not fictional. Why then does Sharon and the
Israeli government
fear so much from such programmes, questions Zain.
© Al Nisr
Publishing LLC - Gulf News Online
End<{{{
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