Tomorrow's Pioneers

Tomorrow's Pioneers (also known as The Pioneers of Tomorrow) is a Palestinian kids' show made by the Hamas-owned television station Al-Aqsa TV. The show follows a standard kids' show format with Saraa Barhoum as the host and a costumed animal as her co-host as they discussed life in Palestine in talk-show format and perform some skits, which sounds fun at first, but...

...the show attracted considerable controversy due to its promotion of fundamentalist ideology towards impressionable children, from antisemitism, anti-Americanism, and Islamic extremism. However, much of the criticism was also subject to scrutiny, particularly that of the Anti-Defamation League, Palestinian Media Watch, and MEMRI, who were accused of bias in their judgement of the show while (allegedly) ignoring the atrocities committed by the other side which led to the show's inception in the first place. Then again, while the show's creators argued that the themes and scenes portrayed are merely a reflection of the bleak and often troubled life Palestinians face in the shadow of the Israeli occupation, even some Palestinian parents and advocacy groups thought that the show was needlessly crossing the line and runs contrary to their ideal of Palestinian liberation. One parent was quoted as saying "I prevent my children from watching what's going on", and a schoolteacher opined in an interview that it is a form of incitement, "even if the incitement is indirect it is still incitement."

It is also notorious for the various rip-offs of American cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse, which led to condemnation from both former Disney CEO Bob Iger and even Diane Disney Miller, Walt Disney's last surviving child, though the Walt Disney Company itself remained reticent on the matter. Diane's comments about the show prompted a response from the show's creators who brazenly killed off the Farfour character in a mock martyrdom.

NOTE TO EDITORS: It need not be said that due to the show's disturbing content and discussion of contentious topics such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Rule of Cautious Editing Judgement applies here.


 * Anyone Can Die: A rare children's show example.
 * Author Tract: Of course.
 * The Fundamentalist: Everyone.
 * Everyone whom the show considers good.
 * Greedy Jew: To the point of killing someone. Given the show's premise as an anti-Israel and in general an antisemitic tract, this is par for the course.
 * I'm a Humanitarian: Assud the costumed rabbit said that he will kill the Jews and eat them.
 * Killed Off for Real: Farfur. As a means of turning children against those the host blames for his murder.
 * Assoud was killed during an Israeli attack.
 * Nahoul the bumble bee died because the Gaza strip prevented his family passage to Egypt to get an important surgery. He was replaced by Assoud, his brother... who is also a rabbit.
 * Meaningful Name: The Mickey Mouse ripoff name is Farfur, which comes from a diminutive of fi'r, which means mouse in Arabic.
 * Mockbuster: The animal characters Farfur (Mickey Mouse) and Assud (Bugs Bunny).
 * No Sympathy: When Assud is accused of committing a theft, the host announces he must be punished by having his hand cut off. The rabbit begs for mercy from the kids at home to help him, "God No! Please for the love of God!" Viewers that call in to talk then tell him that he deserves this because he committed a crime. Much to the agonizing tears of the rabbit.
 * Replacement Goldfish: Every time an animal cohost gets killed off, a new one is brought on. Farfour the mouse, Nahoul the bee, Assoud the rabbit, and the most recent replacement is Nassur the bear.
 * Screw the Money, I Have Rules: Farfur was offered lots of money to give away the documents and keys to Tel Al-Rabi. He refused,
 * Spell My Name with an "S": The costumed mouse is either Farfur or Farfour.
 * Wicked Cultured: Farfur once discussed with his young companions how "civilized" and "intellectual" Arab culture was - as if this could be used as a justification for violence.
 * Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters: This is pretty much the premise for the show. Western commentators viewed it as terrorist propaganda while the show's producers maintain that it's merely a reflection of life in Palestine where they're constantly under Israel's shadow.