Iconic children's program ails because of funding freeze by US Congress as punishment for UN statehood bid
It's quiet time on Palestinian Sesame Street.
The iconic children's program, known as "Sharaa Simsim" in Arabic, has been put on hold for the 2012 season because of a funding freeze by the US Congress.
*Adding insult to injury....*
Even as the freeze put Palestinian Sesame Street on hold, the State Department is investing $750,000 in the Israeli version of the show, which is now filming its newest season with an emphasis on teaching children the value of fairness.
This is what the US Congress is putting a halt to....
*Promoting message of peace, tolerance
"Sharaa Simsim", the Palestinian show, debuted in 1996 and has produced five seasons since, with long intermissions for fundraising. It has promoted a message of peace and tolerance that Israeli critics say is often missing from Palestinian airwaves.
The main characters Haneen, a red-headed orange Muppet, and the green rooster Kareem have became household names for Palestinian children.*
The full AP Report can be seen HERE
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