The Mouse That Roars No More

Al Aqsa's TV, the Hamas sponsored television station, saw its Nielsen ratings drop sharply after "Farfour", the Mickey Mouse look-alike, was allegedly beaten to death in the show's final skit.

The show created a worldwide stir when it first aired. The program's message of hate against Israel appeared aimed at Palestinian children, who eventually saw their beloved rodent martyred. In the last episode, the rat-like creature is beaten to death by and Israeli posing as a Real Estate agent interested in acquiring some Palestinian land. Unable to reach an agreement on deed restrictions, the Israeli businessman becomes "enraged" and allegedly pummels Farfour until the mouse becomes still and peaceful.

The show's ratings plummeted afterwards. A spokesperson for the TV station stated in a makeshift news conference that Al Aqsa will feature reruns of Baywatch and Charlie's Angel's until a suitable children's show could be devised to replace Farfour.

"We have currently on the table a show we tentatively call "NoHands" in which a Pluto-like character will be seen making pipe bombs", according to Abdullah Jones, Al Aqsa head of children's programing.

"He will eventually be martyred as well. In the final episode, an Israeli businessman will get him to fetch a stick, which of course, will not be a stick," offered Jones, under conditions of anonymity.

As of this writing, no one has taken responsibility for the creation of the new show.

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Valerie Schoenmeister contributed to this report.