Palestine TV is a light unto the nations

Sometimes Palestinian politics is all about perks and cushy jobs. Sometimes, rank warlordism.
If the collapse of Fatah in Gaza was due to inefficiency, corruption, and the gangster politics typical of fiefdoms of the Arab world, the eventual social collapse in the West Bank may be due to a combination of limpness, and mis-applied inter-Palestinian force.

Fatah, at times, seems not so much moderate as clumsily opportunistic.


Consider the recent shenanigans at Palestine TV.

Quote:
"Abed Rabbo lost his temper last week when Palestine TV failed to dispatch a crew to film Fayad during a ceremony to inaugurate a village water project. [cut] Dahoudi and news editors have long been under heavy pressure from Abed Rabbo to devote much of the news bulletins to Fayad's activities and statements."
End quote.

Not just any temper tantrum, Abed Rabbo's hissy fit erupted into the abrupt dismissal of
Muhammad Dahoudi, director of Palestine TV.


Quote:
"......said that the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, was also under immense pressure from Abed Rabbo and his staff to give more prominence to Fayad in its news coverage."
End quote.

Apparently Mr Dahoudi is not accustomed to being treated like a dog.
Hence his disobedience, and Yasser Abed Rabo responding by angrily firing him.


But it could've been much worse. Much, much worse.

Quote:
"This was not the first time that Abed Rabbo has made a controversial decision regarding Palestine TV. A few weeks ago, he issued an order banning the station from covering news related to Tayeb Abdel Rahim, a member of the Fatah Central Committee and a top aide to Abbas. The row between Abed Rabbo and Abdel Rahim later escalated to an exchange of gunfire between their bodyguards and aides. "
End quote.


Source (Jerusalem Post, article by Khaled Abu Toameh): http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1251145116597&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
[http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1251145116597&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter]


As an example of 'Freedom of the Press', the soap-opera-like tumult at Palestine TV is not in the top ten. Unless under the file-heading of 'Banana Republic'.
As an illustration of "how not to advance the cause of modernity", however, it is absolutely in keeping with the traditions of many of the neighboring Arab countries.
Positively orthodox, in fact.


Stay tuned to this channel for frequent updates on the cheerful bumbling, zany highjinks, and 'boys-will-be-boys' romantic comedy over at Ramallah's favourite television station.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll swoon!