PA minister resigns after radio comments

Palestinian Authority minister who called Palestinian workers “brothers of whores” submits his resignation.

Palestinian Flag 311 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian Flag 311
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Palestinian Authority minister who called Palestinian workers “brothers of whores” on Thursday submitted his resignation from the PA government.
Ahmad Majdalani, the labor minister, made the derogatory remark during a radio interview last week. He apparently thought that the interview had ended when he was heard cursing the workers.
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The minister initially claimed that profanity was directed against “Israeli occupation” and not against Palestinian workers.
The Palestinian General Workers’ Union dismissed the claim as nonsense and has since been staging daily protests to demand that Majdalani be fired from the government.
In his letter of resignation, Majdalani apologized to Palestinians for making an “unsuitable” remark, saying he had no intention to cause harm to anyone.
Majdalani is the second minister to quit this week.
Earlier, Minister of Economy Hasan Abu Libdeh announced that he was suspending his membership in the government after being charged with financial corruption and fraud.
A third cabinet member, Minister of Agriculture Ismail Daiq, was suspended six months ago after also facing charges of corruption.