Palestinian Media Watch

In 2007 widespread criticism was generated around a children's television program, Tomorrow's Pioneers, aired from Hamas-run studios in the Gaza Strip.[11] The program employed a Mickey Mouse-inspired figure in order to instill anti-American and anti-Israeli sentiment and promote a message of Islamic dominion among children.[12] Palestinian Media Watch, together with the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), were the first to raise concerns in relation to the show.[13]

A Palestinian Media Watch report from 2012 stated that a puppet show performed in front of Palestinian children and sponsored by the United Nations-funded organization Burj al Luq Luq Community Centre and Society called on children to take up arms in lieu of cigarettes. A separate report from the same year stated that two television hosts from the Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation (PYALARA), an organization that receives funding from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office, Save the Children U.K. and Cordaid, described suicide bombers as "the greatest role models for us" during a weekly TV program. The Burj al Luq Luq website was subsequently taken offline, and Save the Children U.K. launched an investigation into PYALARA.[14][15]

In early 2013 a report by Palestinian Media Watch indicating that the Palestinian Authority glorified acts of terrorism against the State of Israel sparked debate in Norway over the latter's contribution to the PA of some $52.5 million annually. NRK, the Norwegian public broadcasting network, used the PMW report in its coverage and stated that according to the Norwegian Center for Studies of Holocaust and Religious Minorities a Palestinian television channel, partly controlled by the Palestinian Authority, occasionally conveys hatred and demonization towards Israel. NRK reported that programs broadcast on Palestinian television praise prisoners involved in killing Israeli civilians. NRK also conducted a survey of its own in Jerusalem and the West Bank, finding among other things that several Palestinians believed the Protocols of the Elders of Zion forgery is authentic and that it reflects "Jewish plans" for world domination.[16] The Norwegian Holocaust Center, which also contributed money to the Palestinian Authority, said PA TV demonized Israel and spread antisemitism.[17][18]

Emad Alsafar, the program director of the Palestinian television channel, denied the charges of demonization and antisemitism, stating that Palestinians took issues with the occupation, not with Jews. He said that in live broadcasts undesirable views are occasionally expressed, but there is an effort to correct these in retrospect. Norwegian State Secretary Torgeir Larsen admitted that Palestinian Media Watch had presented examples of antisemitism but stated that these were examples and that PMW had their own agenda in presenting the material. In relation to an additional NRK report on claims made by PMW that the Palestinian Authority pays monthly salaries to Palestinians convicted of terrorist activities including murder, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry felt it important to state that PMW is on the right wing of Israeli politics and that its founder, Itamar Marcus, resides in an illegal settlement in the West Bank.[17][19] Norwegian MP Peter Gitmark subsequently called on his parliament's scrutiny committee to investigate the matter of what he called Norway's "indirect" contribution to Palestinian terrorism.[20]

In 2013, an Israeli family sued Palestinian officials for responsibility for "incitement against Israel which led to “terrorist” attacks against Israel and Israelis" in a Tel Aviv district court. Itamar Marcus was called as "expert witness", but Judge Dalia Gannot found Marcus “incompetent” as such. The Media Watch further argued that “the PA follows an explicit policy of incitement against Israel and the Jews,” but Judge Gannot found that to be unproven. The case against the Palestinian officials was dismissed.[21]