Al-Aqsa TV
Encyclopedia
Al-Aqsa TV is the official Hamas-run television
channel. Its programming includes news talk, children's shows (such as Tomorrow's Pioneers
, which allegedly promotes violence and antisemitism), and religiously inspired entertainment. It is currently directed by Palestinian Legislative Council
member Fathi Ahmad Hammad
.
On December 29, 2008, during the 2008–2009 Israel-Gaza conflict, Israeli aircraft repeatedly bombed the al-Aqsa television station headquarters in Gaza
. The building was completely destroyed, but the station continued to broadcast from a mobile TV unit
, Al-Aqsa TV promotes terrorist activity and incites hatred of Jews and Israelis, and much of its programming that glorifies violence is geared towards children.
In regards to Al-Aqsa's television programme Tomorrow's Pioneers
, following complaints by Israeli watchdog groups that triggered international scrutiny, Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti
said he had asked Al Aqsa TV to stop the broadcasts so the content could be reviewed. Despite Barghouti's call, Tomorrow's Pioneers went on the air as usual. In later episodes the co-host, a Mickey Mouse-like character named Farfour was killed by an Israeli interrogator, and was replaced by a bee named Naoul, who also died and was replaced by a rabbit character named Assoud. Assoud, in turn, was martyred and replaced by Nassur the bear.
In May 2008, Bassem Naeem, the minister of health in the Hamas government in Gaza, responded to allegations of antisemitism in Al-Aqsa TV programmes. In his letter to The Guardian
, Naeem stated that the Al-Aqsa Channel is an independent media institution that often does not express the views of the Hamas government or the Hamas movement. In response, Guardian columnist Alan Johnson wrote that Al-Aqsa TV cannot be a media institution independent of Hamas, because it is headed by Fathi Ahmad Hammad
, chairman of a Hamas-run company that also produces the Hamas radio station and its bi-weekly newspaper, and because, since 2007, Hamas had blocked Palestinian National Authority
broadcasts into Gaza
, which indicated that there is no independent media in Gaza.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
channel. Its programming includes news talk, children's shows (such as Tomorrow's Pioneers
Tomorrow's Pioneers
Tomorrow's Pioneers is a children's program, broadcast since April 13, 2007 on the Palestinian Hamas-affiliated television station, Al-Aqsa TV...
, which allegedly promotes violence and antisemitism), and religiously inspired entertainment. It is currently directed by Palestinian Legislative Council
Palestinian Legislative Council
The Palestinian Legislative Council, the legislature of the Palestinian Authority, is a unicameral body with 132 members, elected from 16 electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza...
member Fathi Ahmad Hammad
Fathi Hamad
Fathi Hamad is a political leader of Hamas. In April 2009, he was appointed the new Interior Minister in replacement of Said Seyam who was assassinated by Israel in the 2009 Gaza War. Hamad became a Hamas affiliated member of the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006, representing his home town...
.
Timeline
The station began broadcasting in the Gaza Strip on January 9, 2006 after Hamas won a sweeping victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections. On January 22, 2006 the Palestinian public prosecutor Ahmed Maghni decided to close down a television station because it did not have the necessary broadcast license, but the decision was never enforced.On December 29, 2008, during the 2008–2009 Israel-Gaza conflict, Israeli aircraft repeatedly bombed the al-Aqsa television station headquarters in Gaza
Gaza
Gaza , also referred to as Gaza City, is a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip, with a population of about 450,000, making it the largest city in the Palestinian territories.Inhabited since at least the 15th century BC,...
. The building was completely destroyed, but the station continued to broadcast from a mobile TV unit
Criticism
According to the American Jewish organisation, the Anti-Defamation LeagueAnti-Defamation League
The Anti-Defamation League is an international non-governmental organization based in the United States. Describing itself as "the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency", the ADL states that it "fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects...
, Al-Aqsa TV promotes terrorist activity and incites hatred of Jews and Israelis, and much of its programming that glorifies violence is geared towards children.
In regards to Al-Aqsa's television programme Tomorrow's Pioneers
Tomorrow's Pioneers
Tomorrow's Pioneers is a children's program, broadcast since April 13, 2007 on the Palestinian Hamas-affiliated television station, Al-Aqsa TV...
, following complaints by Israeli watchdog groups that triggered international scrutiny, Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti
Mustafa Barghouti
Mustafa Barghouti is a Palestinian democracy activist. He was a candidate for the presidency of the Palestinian National Authority in 2005, finishing second to Mahmoud Abbas, with 19% of the vote.Barghouti was born in Jerusalem...
said he had asked Al Aqsa TV to stop the broadcasts so the content could be reviewed. Despite Barghouti's call, Tomorrow's Pioneers went on the air as usual. In later episodes the co-host, a Mickey Mouse-like character named Farfour was killed by an Israeli interrogator, and was replaced by a bee named Naoul, who also died and was replaced by a rabbit character named Assoud. Assoud, in turn, was martyred and replaced by Nassur the bear.
In May 2008, Bassem Naeem, the minister of health in the Hamas government in Gaza, responded to allegations of antisemitism in Al-Aqsa TV programmes. In his letter to The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, Naeem stated that the Al-Aqsa Channel is an independent media institution that often does not express the views of the Hamas government or the Hamas movement. In response, Guardian columnist Alan Johnson wrote that Al-Aqsa TV cannot be a media institution independent of Hamas, because it is headed by Fathi Ahmad Hammad
Fathi Ahmad Hammad
Fathi Ahmad Hammad is a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, and the chairman of al-Ribat Communications and Artistic Productions - a Hamas-run company which produces Hamas's radio station, Voice of al-Aqsa, it's television station, Al-Aqsa TV and its bi-weekly newspaper, The Message.In...
, chairman of a Hamas-run company that also produces the Hamas radio station and its bi-weekly newspaper, and because, since 2007, Hamas had blocked Palestinian National Authority
Palestinian National Authority
The Palestinian Authority is the administrative organization established to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip...
broadcasts into Gaza
Gaza
Gaza , also referred to as Gaza City, is a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip, with a population of about 450,000, making it the largest city in the Palestinian territories.Inhabited since at least the 15th century BC,...
, which indicated that there is no independent media in Gaza.
See also
- al-Aqsa FoundationAl-Aqsa FoundationThe al-Aqsa Foundation is an international charity with alleged ties to the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas. The head office of the foundation was located in Germany until it was closed by the German authorities in July 2002...
- Al FatehAl FatehAl-Fateh is the Hamas children's magazine. It is published biweekly in London, and is also posted online . It began publication in September 2002, and its 108th issue was released in mid-September 2007. The magazine features stories, poems, riddles, and puzzles...
(Hamas' web site for children) - Al Manar