Iran TV: 'Pirates of Caribbean' a Zionist plot

A new campaign on Middle East television tells viewers that Disney is linked to Zionism and its newest "ammunition" is "Pirates of the Caribbean," the popular movie starring Johnny Depp.

According to translations released by the Middle East Media Research Institute, the studio also used its "Aladdin" animated series to denigrate Arabs.

On a new video from Iran's IRINN channel, and released by MEMRI, an anchor introduces the critique with the comment that, "Zionist ideology uses all means to impose its cultural control," and then a reporter starts talking about the "Pirates" movie, and how it is an attempt to "gain control."

"Disney and its productions have been associated, more than anything, with the Zionist lobby in Hollywood," the report says. "In 1995, when the pro-Zionist Jews were 2.5 percent of America's population, they made up 7.7 percent of Disney's board of directors.

"This clearly influences the content of this large company's productions, as well as its policies and guidelines. The 'Aladdin' animated film series is one example of Disney creations that present Arabs in a negative light," the MEMRI translation quoted the reporter saying.

Tom and Jerry

WND reported then that Prof. Hasan Bolkhari, a cultural adviser to the Iranian Education Ministry, told Iran's Channel 4 the Tom and Jerry cartoon is a Jewish conspiracy.

An excerpt of that video also was made available by MEMRI then.

"The Jewish Walt Disney Company gained international fame with this cartoon," said Bolkhari. "It is still shown throughout the world. This cartoon maintains its status because of the cute antics of the cat and mouse – especially the mouse."

"Tom and Jerry," the creation of Joe Barbera and Bill Hanna, was created in 1939, the year World War II began and while the Holocaust was in full force, for the MGM cartoon studios, not Disney. During the next 18 years, Hanna and Barbera created over 200 cartoons featuring Tom and Jerry, earning the pair seven Academy Awards. Today, "Tom and Jerry" is owned by Turner Entertainment.

"Cinema is considered another, subtle, weapon in the hands of those who support this corrupt ideology," the reporter says on the newest video. "In Hollywood, Disney is the manufacturer of this weapon, and the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' is its newest ammunition."

The reporter also criticized Disney for supporting the "Bush administration's expansionist policies," and noted that the company "refrained from screening the film 'Fahrenheit 9/11'" which criticized that policy.

"This film, which won the Palme d'Or award at the Cannes film festival, became the bestselling documentary in the history of the film industry. Disney's move brought it nothing but disgrace."

While showing a video of guns being assembled, the reporter said, "In any event, Zionism is not restricted to the capitalistic weapons companies, such as Lockheed and the banks that support it."

The earlier report said the creation of the "Tom and Jerry" cartoon was "to erase a certain derogatory term that was prevalent in Europe."

"If you study European history, you will see who was the main power to hoard money and wealth in the 19th century. In most cases, it is the Jews. … Watch 'Schindler's List.' Every Jew was forced to wear a yellow star on his clothing. The Jews were degraded and termed 'dirty mice.' Tom and Jerry was made in order to change the Europeans' perception of mice."

The Middle East Media Research Institute is an independent, non-profit group that translates and analyzes the media of the Middle East.

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