In much the same way that Nazi Germany and the USSR prevented their citizens from hearing foreign news, the semi-official 'Palestinian' weekly The Jerusalem Times seems very spooked about Israel's new Arabic language satellite station.

"Prominent Palestinian journalists have claimed that the newly founded Israeli satellite channel directed at Arab audiences poses a threat in terms of helping to spread lies. Maher Al-Rayyes said that the Israeli media is deceitful, adding that programs and movies shown on the new Israeli satellite channel attack Arabic and Islamic values and morals and try to mislead one into thinking that Israel is a democratic state that cares for its minorities. He added that democracy in Israel is reserved for Jews, citing as an example the way in which non-Jewish members of the Knesset are treated in comparison to Jewish ones.

Rayyes said that the Israeli satellite channel broadcasts lies but indicated that the Palestinian audience is immune to such treachery. He

explained that the Israeli media addresses Arab audiences as if they were

retarded.