PETA Springs Into Action, Denounces Hamas

No, not for killing Jews. They don't have a word to say about that.

Animal rights group slams "shocking" Hamas TV clip

JERUSALEM, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Animal rights group PETA said on Wednesday it would protest to a Hamas-run TV channel after a clip from a programme showing animals being abused appeared on YouTube, prompting scores of complaints from viewers worldwide.

"It's shocking and sickening," said Martin Mersereau, manager of the domestic animal abuse division of U.S.-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Speaking to Reuters by telephone, he said PETA was drafting a letter of protest to the Gaza-based al-Aqsa television station, which aired the show -- aimed at teaching children not to abuse animals -- last week.

A segment of the programme was posted on the YouTube video-sharing Web site after being recorded and translated by pro-Israeli group Palestinian Media Watch.

An official at the TV station declined immediate comment.

The YouTube clip shows an actor dressed as a bee mistreating a cat and lions at Gaza Zoo. In the studio, he is reprimanded by the programme's host, who cautions children against mimicking the bee's "terrible" behaviour.

A slight fissure in the leftist-Islamic convergence.