‘The Simpsons’ Bring Peace to the Middle East

By Devra Ferst April 1, 2009

Some say politicians will bring peace to the Middle East; others think only the messiah could summon such a miracle. But this fall, Homer Simpson, father of America’s favorite animated TV family, will prove them all wrong.

The Simpsons, who have visited Japan, Australia, Great Britain and France, will embark on their first trip to the Holy Land, where they will help Israelis and Palestinians find common ground, albeit in an unconventional way, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

“The premise will be that the Christians, the Jews and Muslims are united in that they all get mad at Homer. It’s the only thing they can agree on,” said Al Jean, executive producer of the show.

“The Simpsons,” which is set to begin its 21st season, has presented several beloved Jewish-themed episodes, most often connected to Krusty the Clown. Krusty, whose real name is Herschel Shmoikel Pinkus Yerucham Krustofski, is the son of the town’s Orthodox rabbi, voiced by Jackie Mason. The episode “Like Father, Like Clown,” based on the film “The Jazz Singer,” spawned the online Simpsons Talmud, which translates the episode into a Talmudic discussion. Jewish fans of the show have also created such projects as the Homer Calendar, a Simpsons-themed counting of the omer.

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