Professor Hasan Bolkhari, a member of the Film Council of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and a cultural advisor to the Iranian Education MinistryIran television, appeared on Iranian television to discuss how the Jews took over a popular cartoon named ‘Tom & Jerry.’

For the record, that cartoon just happened to be my favorite growing up as a child, until the ‘New Tome & Jerry’ or whatever version was the second one, and I don’t recall seeing any political messages in the cartoon.  Alas though, I am not an Iranian professor.

Hasan Bolkhari: “There is a cartoon that children like. They like it very much, and so do adults - Tom and Jerry.”

“Some say that this creation by Walt Disney [sic] will be remembered forever. The Jewish Walt Disney Company gained international fame with this cartoon. It is still shown throughout the world. This cartoon maintains its status because of the cute antics of the cat and mouse - especially the mouse.

“Some say that the main reason for making this very appealing cartoon was to erase a certain derogatory term that was prevalent in Europe.” (source)

Yeah, but it’s a cat and mouse.  Professor Bolkhari explains why in ‘Tom & Jerry’ the mouse represents Jewish people.

“If you study European history, you will see who was the main power in hoarding money and wealth, in the 19th century. In most cases, it is the Jews. Perhaps that was one of the reasons which caused Hitler to begin the antisemitic trend, and then the extensive propaganda about the crematoria began… Some of this is true. We do not deny all of it.

“Watch Schindler’s List. Every Jew was forced to wear yellow star on his clothing. The Jews were degraded and termed ‘dirty mice.’ Tom and Jerry was made in order to change the Europeans’ perception of mice. One of terms used was ‘dirty mice.’

“I’d like to tell you that… It should be noted that mice are very cunning…and dirty.”

“No ethnic group or people operates in such a clandestine manner as the Jews.”

“Read the history of the Jews in Europe. This ultimately led to Hitler’s hatred and resentment. As it turns out, Hitler had behind-the-scenes connections with the Protocols [of the Elders of Zion ].

“Tom and Jerry was made in order to display the exact opposite image. If you happen to watch this cartoon tomorrow, bear in mind the points I have just raised, and watch it from this perspective. The mouse is very clever and smart. Everything he does is so cute. He kicks the poor cat’s ass. Yet this cruelty does not make you despise the mouse. He looks so nice, and he is so clever… This is exactly why some say it was meant to erase this image of mice from the minds of European children, and to show that the mouse is not dirty and has these traits. Unfortunately, we have many such cases in Hollywood shows.”

And Jews are like mice so all Jews are “cunning” and “dirty” and Adolph Hitler was right, or so argues this professor.  What exactly does it take to achieve a Doctoral in Iran?  Apparently not much.