Take a look at this article, published here:
Look at the headline:
The Children of Shu’fat Camp Rejoice at “Animals” Muppet Show
.
OK. Now, read the article itself. It’s not so long.
It appears, from careful reading, that this WAFA article was produced entirely on the basis of a press release from UNRWA.
In fact, the original UNRWA press release is posted here — and it’s exact title is:
Children of Shu’fat Camp enjoy animals muppet show
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[note that UNRWA prefers to use the word “enjoy“].
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QUESTIONS THIS POSES:
There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever in this article as written that any correspondent of WAFA — the [yes, official] Palestine News [sic] & Info Agency — was present.
So, how would WAFA be able to know whether the children of Shu’fat [Shoafat] Camp “rejoiced”, or not?
[And, why is “animals” in quotation marks?]
Is this a genuine human interest story — or is it, as seems completely clear, institutional promotion?
[UNRWA, Spanish offices in Jerusalem]?
Why would UNRWA + WAFA be so enthusiastic about the appearance of a Spanish performing troupe? Is it because any infusion of donor money and interest, however self-serving, must be applauded?
Ah, yes. Here it is, this is exactly what it says in the story below. In the words of the Deputy Consul General of Spain Javier Gutierrez: “It is a good opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the ‘Spanish government and UNRWA since Spanish government is a main partner and donor for UNRWA”.
So, this is the “Thank you”… with, of course, the pat on UNRWA’s own back. The Spanish offices mentioned in the WAFA article [and in the UNRWA press release] gets something nice to show the folks back home in the monthly, quarterly and yearly reports. And, of course, so does UNRWA, as this highlights [entirely on UNRWA’s terms] the “good” work that UNRWA wants you to know it does…
But, it is, certainly, almost unthinkable that UNRWA and/or WAFA [and/or the Spanish Cooperation Bureau] would promote any similar performance by a Palestinian puppet show… More than that, there’s no way a Palestinian puppet troupe would be able to get, easily, funding for its work — certainly never to the same level that this Spanish troupe receives… not from UNRWA, and not from Spain.
And, what can you say about a news agency that does this?