Truth in advertising?

0 Comments | Insight on the News, August 5, 2002 | by Stephen Goode, | Zoli Simon

Your intrepid reporters picked this one up at NewsMax.com, which in turn got it from Media Line, a Middle East news Website. It's about a commercial that entices suicide bombers to do their job, especially the guys, with the promise of pie in the sky.

The commercial aired on a recent Thursday with the 3 o'clock afternoon news from the Palestinian Broadcast Company. It pictured a Palestinian lad walking with his girlfriend. In the distance, the two spot Israeli soldiers. Immediately, the young hero begins to consider ways to do them in.

As he contemplates attack, suddenly a bevy of smashingly gorgeous young women--between the ages of 18 and 22--appears around him out of nowhere, as though the young man's girlfriend isn't nearly deserving enough for so courageous a hero. They wear white robes and smile approvingly at the young terrorist wanna-be, making motions with their hands to come join them for all the pleasures to which flesh is heir.

Then, abruptly, the whole tone of the ad changes. The would-be terrorist is captured and killed by the despised Israelis, his contemplated act of terrorism foiled.

But the young martyr has the last word. Though dead, he smiles down from paradise, where he has been welcomed by the beautiful young women who now surround him, caressing him gently.

All this, from Yasser Arafat's staterun Palestinian Broadcast Co.

STEPHEN GOODE IS A SENIOR WRITER AND ZOLI SIMON IS AN INTERN FOR Insight.