Homeland on a Thread: PLO official appears on new Pal TV soap

Published today (updated) 13/09/2009 12:12

 Ramallah – Ma’an –

Secretary of the PLO Executive Committee Yasser Abed Rabbo made a guest appearance on the satirical Ramadan soap opera "A Homeland on a String," (Watan ala Watar) Saturday night.

The show, which receives increasing local and international acclaim, is critical of both Palestinian society and its governments, tacking myriad issues in each 15-minute episode. Despite its regular criticism of the government, source say the show is supported by Abed Rabbo.

The official played himself the episode “Obama in Ramallan,” which saw him excuse US President Barack Obama who apologized for being 60 minutes late for a meeting “because of the checkpoints,” an often heard excuse from the tardy.

Replying to Obama, Abed Rabbo says, “Sir, you are 60 years late in understanding our suffering under these checkpoints.”

“But [PLO Chief Negotiator] Dr Sa’eb Erekat did not tell us about the suffering of these barriers,” Obama explained.

Trying to console the US president’s ignorance, Abed Rabbo replied “[Don’t worry] Erekat doesn’t tell us what happens with him in the negotiations.”

Following the banter Obama does a press conference in Palestine’s de facto capital Ramallah, giving journalists on the show open season to ask critical questions. Abed Rabbo also takes a crack at translators, who he says conveniently delete things from government statements.