May 22, 2013 | The Arab Review
When Palestinian TV station Maan News called for participants for a new reality TV show, an overwhelming 1,200 Palestinians ages 20 to 35 signed up. They were not dreaming of a record deal, or of getting a contract with a model agency, or even of marrying a millionaire or of managing a high-class restaurant. Instead their ambitions were nothing less than to become “The President”.
And though the winner might not become the “real” president of Palestine, the message is still clear: “Through this programme we create new young leaders and send a message to our current leaders that we need change and we need democracy,” said Raed Othman, Director of Maan News.
“And we send a message to the world that we are ready for democracy and [that we] deserve a country.”