Yesterday, I posted about the new palestinian growth industry of weird crimes.
Today, we see evidence that even their legislators are getting in on the act.
The former speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Rawhi Fattouh, denied responsibility for the attempted smuggling of 3,000 contraband cell phones in his VIP car crossing from Jordan to the West Bank on Wednesday.
“A driver who worked with Fattouh was responsible for that immoral conduct taking advantage of his job,” a statement from Fattouh’s office said.
Fattouh also claimed that he informed the authorities about his driver’s actions, who he says was later was arrested by the Palestinian Authority’s security services.
“While the car was passing through Al-Karama crossing, which is under Israeli control, the Israeli authorities [distributed] distorted news to the Israeli press aiming to use this incident to harm Fattouh’s reputation,” the statement added.
Later, the coordinator of the Israeli Civil Administration announced the cancellation of Fattouh’s VIP status.
The cell phones were seized by Israeli customs officers on Wednesday morning.
I just love the excuse of the appropriately named Fattouh – the driver did it. Either he thinks everyone is stupid, or he’s been playing way too much Cluedo. As for blaming Israel, isn’t that getting a little old already?
I’m sure Fattouh could have done a lot better. So sure, in fact, that I’ve come up with the top 5 excuses he should have used.
5. “Oh, that’s where they are! I’ve been looking for those forever.”
4. “These are cell phones booby trapped by the Israelis.”
3. “Do you want one?”
2. “They’re part of our new promotion – vote for Fatah and receive a free phone. We were expecting 3,000 votes.”
1. “Easy for you to sit in judgment. Do you have 10 daughters?”
Update: And in other palestinian cell phone crime related news:
Two sons of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Tariq and Yasser, have filed a a lawsuit in an Israeli court in Jerusalem against Israeli broadcasting authorities, Channel 1 television, alleging that the station aired a false report that the brothers own a large portion of the National Palestinian cell phone company.
The suit, which also implicates the channel’s general manager and news director, argues that the report was an act of incitement that jeopardized their lives and property.
The plaintiffs said they were not partners in the phone company. According to Tariq and Yasser Abbas, the report also damaged their father’s reputation by alleging that the president applied pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to approve the use of certain frequencies for the new company.
