Zahra's Blue Eyes
Encyclopedia
Zahra's Blue Eyes, also titled For You, Palestine, is an Iranian television series which premiered in 2004 on Sahar 1. It was created by 'Ali Derakhshi, a former official of the Iranian Education Ministry
. Set in the West Bank
, the plot of the series mostly centers around Israeli military and civilians (all dressed in the traditional clothing of religious Jews) conspiring to steal the eyes of Palestinian children. It was made in Persian
but also dubbed into Arabic for further broadcast.
In 2006, it was also shown in Turkish in Germany on Milli Görüs’ TV5. In February 2005, the French Broadcasting Authority ordered the French satellite provider Eutelsat to stop transmitting broadcasts from the Iranian satellite TV channel Sahar 1 because of its broadcast of the series.
In episode two of the series, it is revealed that the Israeli president is being kept alive by organs stolen from Palestinian children, and an Israeli military commander is seen kidnapping UN employees and Palestinians.
, then the only Holocaust survivor sitting in the legislature), wrote to the director of the Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran to condemn the series. In her book entitled Because They Hate, Brigitte Gabriel
wrote of the series: "Did this fellow (the producer) get a peek at the screenplay for the movie The Island
, in which people are raised for spare body parts, or did he just catch a preview of coming attractions? As Goebbels said: 'If you repeat a lie long enough it becomes the truth.' That's taqiyya
at its best. Or worst, depending on your moral compass."
Ministry of Education (Iran)
The Ministry of Education established in 1964, is an Iranian government body responsible for the oversight of K-12 education in Iran.-External links:*...
. Set in the West Bank
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
, the plot of the series mostly centers around Israeli military and civilians (all dressed in the traditional clothing of religious Jews) conspiring to steal the eyes of Palestinian children. It was made in Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
but also dubbed into Arabic for further broadcast.
In 2006, it was also shown in Turkish in Germany on Milli Görüs’ TV5. In February 2005, the French Broadcasting Authority ordered the French satellite provider Eutelsat to stop transmitting broadcasts from the Iranian satellite TV channel Sahar 1 because of its broadcast of the series.
Plot
The series, which claims that Israeli doctors are harvesting organs from Palestinian children, and focuses on the campaign of fictional prime-ministerial candidate Yitzhak Cohen, who declares in a speech that Jews "are the best of the races in the world." Cohen becomes obsessed with seizing the eyes of a young Palestinian girl named Zahra. To this end, Israelis pose as United Nations employees who come to a Palestinian school and check children in order to "prevent the spreading of an eye disease" but really want to inspect the class for students with the best eyes. After an extremely graphic surgery, Zahra is left blind by the Israeli doctors.In episode two of the series, it is revealed that the Israeli president is being kept alive by organs stolen from Palestinian children, and an Israeli military commander is seen kidnapping UN employees and Palestinians.
Episodes
- Preparations for Stealing Palestinian Children's Organs
- Palestinian Children Are taken to Israeli Hospital
- Zahra Is Taken to Yitzhak and Theodor Cohen's Mansion
- Zionists Prepare to Implant Zahra's Eyes in Theodor
- Zahra Escapes Evil Zionist Palace
- A Good Jew Helps Zahra, Before He is Murdered
- Zahra Is Blinded, Rest of Characters Are Killed
International reactions
Zahra's Blue Eyes and other original series from Sahar TV were banned in France. The series has received condemnation outside of the Middle East due to its usage of heavily anti-Semitic depictions of Jewish people, particularly Israelis. Additionally, 15 members of the United States Congress, both Democrats and Republicans (including Tom LantosTom Lantos
Thomas Peter "Tom" Lantos was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1981 until his death, representing the northern two-thirds of San Mateo County and a portion of southwest San Francisco...
, then the only Holocaust survivor sitting in the legislature), wrote to the director of the Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran to condemn the series. In her book entitled Because They Hate, Brigitte Gabriel
Brigitte Gabriel
Brigitte Gabriel is the pseudonym, of a Lebanese American journalist, author, and activist. Gabriel says that Islam keeps countries backward, and that it teaches terrorism...
wrote of the series: "Did this fellow (the producer) get a peek at the screenplay for the movie The Island
The Island (2005 film)
The Island is a 2005 American science fiction/thriller film directed by Michael Bay and starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. It was released on July 22, 2005 in the United States, and was nominated for three awards including the Teen Choice Award....
, in which people are raised for spare body parts, or did he just catch a preview of coming attractions? As Goebbels said: 'If you repeat a lie long enough it becomes the truth.' That's taqiyya
Taqiyya
Taqiyya , meaning religious dissimulation, is a practice emphasized in Shi'a Islam whereby adherents may conceal their religion when they are under threat, persecution, or compulsion...
at its best. Or worst, depending on your moral compass."
External links
- MEMRI TV Project Special Report: Iranian TV Drama Series about Israeli Government Stealing Palestinian Children's Eyes, MEMRI TV, Special Dispatch No.833, December 22, 2004.
- Interview with 'Ali Derakhshi, the Maker of the New Iranian Series, Sahar TV (Iran) - December 14, 2004, MEMRITV - Clip 422.