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Palestinian Activists Tear Down Obama Billboard to Protest… Lack of 3G Cellphone Technology?

Mar. 18, 2013 4:25pm
Palestinian Activists Tear Down Obama Billboard to Protest Lack of 3G Cellphone Technology

Protesters in Bethlehem. Photo credit: Ma’an News Agency

TheBlaze previously reported that President Barack Obama has planned to forgo an extended tour of an Iron Dome field unit during his upcoming trip to Israel to instead make a stop in Palestinian-controlled Bethlehem. Locals seem none-too-pleased, however, as activists converged on Bethlehem’s Manger Square Monday to tear down, trample and set fire to a billboard of the U.S. president as they chanted: “America is the head of the snake.”

The protesters also threw shoes at American diplomatic vehicles arriving in preparation of Obama’s visit.

The reason, according to Ma’an News Agency, is to showcase the plight of Palestinians who have allegedly “been deprived of the right to have 3G telecommunication technology because they compete with Israeli companies.”

What’s more, the activists apparently believe that the lack of 3G coverage constitutes “cruel, inhuman degrading punishment” as, after ripping down the Obama billboard, they replaced it with one of their own reading a statement to this very effect.

The activists’ banner read: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman degrading treatment or punishment.”

Counter-intuitively, one protester said that he actually does not want 3G technology to come to the area.

“We came here today to tell Obama that we don’t want 3G in Palestine,” said Samir Odeh, a Fatah activist in Bethlehem. “We want a state, the release of prisoners and an end to settlement construction. We also want to see our refugees return to their homes.”

With a shoe in hand, the JPost reports that another protester, Fayez Mansour, said that Obama is not welcome in Bethlehem.

“We won’t receive Obama with flowers and a red carpet,” he said. “We will receive him with shoes. We want to tell America that we hate you and you have no place here. We don’t want to see Obama in Palestine. He is coming to save Israel. He does not have anything to offer our people.”

According to yet another activist, Palestinians are opposed to Obama’s visit because he is coming “as a pilgrim.”

The Palestinian Authority has said it will not counter any protests against Obama’s visit so long as protesters are granted permission prior. According to Ma’an, no PA security forces were reported to have been seen in Manger Square at the time of the billboard-trampling.

The JPost reports that similar anti-Obama protests are slated to take place in Ramallah and other Palestinian towns in the coming week.

Mazen al-Azza, a protest organizer, blasted Obama for coming solely to help Israelis.

“Obama is not welcome in Palestine,” al-Azza said. “He has done nothing for the Palestinians. He does not care about the Palestinian prisoners who are being held in Israel.”

Other activists welcome Obama so long as he secures the release of Palestinian prisoners and stops construction of Jewish communities.

JPost adds that a Palestinian woman shouted: “Allahu Akbar! Obama is not welcome in Palestine. He is an Israeli agent.”

Palestinian Activists Tear Down Obama Billboard to Protest Lack of 3G Cellphone Technology

Protesters in Bethlehem. Photo credit: Ma’an News Agency

Palestinian Activists Tear Down Obama Billboard to Protest Lack of 3G Cellphone Technology

Protesters in Bethlehem. Photo credit: Ma’an News Agency

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Comments (34)

  • rtawil10
    Posted on March 19, 2013 at 12:38pm

    I’m honestly disgusted by how everyone is reacting to this. Who are you to judge a society that you’re not a part of? You have no idea what if feels like to live under occupation, to be deprived from things common to everyone else in the world, to not have a say in anything. The only reason the Palestinians complained about the 3G was to show people around the world, in particular Obama, how they don’t even have the chance to use 3G whilst everyone else in the world does. The Palestinians don’t have a voice. The only reason Obama is coming to Bethlehem is to show people around the world how he’s “supporting both sides”, which is a bunch of bull. Just so you know, by coming to Bethlehem, all of Bethlehem’s main streets and shops will be forced to close, and locals won’t be allowed outside their house. I’d like to see how the American society would be if they were under constant occupation with hardly any rights and limited resources (water and food), I can tell you that no matter what the news shows of Palestine, Palestine is extremely modern and westernised. Palestinians are extremely literate and intelligent, so don’t make fun of their English. Don’t learn to trust what the news tells you. Also, your jokes are absolutely hilarious. It’s people like you who make creating peace more difficult.

    P.S. I’m an Australian/Palestinian who currently lives in Bethlehem. Until you lived in Bethlehem for as long as I have, don’t come judging a society you barely know.

    Report this comment

    rtawil10  
  • BladerunnerKC
    Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:05am

    We want our Obama phones! But only if they are 3G!

    Report this comment

    BladerunnerKC  
  • EP46
    Posted on March 19, 2013 at 5:44am

    Don’t you love how all these foreign countries have professional signs printed in English when they protest….you will see picket signs & banners that look like they are Union made…and the poor people who have them cannot read a word of English

    Report this comment

    EP46  
  • SlushPuppyKing
    Posted on March 19, 2013 at 4:50am

    “We want to tell America that we hate you and you have no place here”

    I agree, and I’d love for my government to get the hint and stay the hell away from all these places.

    Report this comment

    SlushPuppyKing  
  • media-bias-steals-elections
    Posted on March 19, 2013 at 12:44am

    Wow, I never knew grewing up in the 1990s and putting up with 56K dial up modems, was actually considered human torture?

    Nothing is worse then not being able to communicate so fast the enemy can’t decipher your communications? Well what did you think would happen when you shoot thousands of rockets in the air without permission?

    Stick to throwing shoes, it works way better?

    Report this comment

    media-bias-steals-elections  
  • wilbstal
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 9:06pm

    Obama is guil;
    ty the world knows it

    Report this comment

    wilbstal  
  • spinelessdave
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 8:48pm

    “OK you drive a hard bargain Palestine-
    we will Give you Obama at 1/2 price.”

    Report this comment

    spinelessdave  
  • Dushman Kush
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 8:02pm

    During His first months in office, our Leader gave $900,000,000 to Hamas. Did Hamas spend it all on weapons and not the Palestinians? These protesters should show more Respect and Gratitude.

    Report this comment

    Dushman Kush  
  • TommyGuns
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 7:42pm

    Well, I’m relieved that President Obama hasn’t given the Palestinians the free cell phones and 250 free minutes and texts he’s been handing out here hand over fist! Or maybe that’s why he’s going there – to tell them about the free cell phones and food stamps available for them here!

    Report this comment

    TommyGuns  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 7:26pm

    Hey Palestinian!!! KEEP BHO when he is over there. Let him fix your want-a-be country with YOUR TAXES!!!!

    Report this comment

    banjarmon  
  • AUsername
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 5:37pm

    perhaps Obama doesn’t benefit either parties and he should just stay out of it.

    Report this comment

    AUsername  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 5:30pm

    My, but the definition of “torture, cruel, inhuman degrading treatment or punishment”, certainly has changed. I didn’t even know that my human rights were being violated by not having a “smart” phone.

    Whom do I contact to end this horrible violation of my human rights?

    Report this comment

    Diane TX  
  • eyestoseeearstohear
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 5:18pm

    He’s not welcomed here, either….BUT…don’t you all find it a little odd that obama
    is FINALLY going to Israel 5 Days before the Most Holy Days of Passover AND
    is scheduled to recieve a Metal of Distinction, inspite of the insulting
    way he has treated Netanyahu since 2008?

    This is predicted in the Bible – but I recommend everyone to go to Youtube and type in:
    Body of Evidence. This is a MUST SEE!

    Report this comment

    eyestoseeearstohear  
    • rickc34
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 5:54pm

      Only the blind left welcome Obama with open arms. We (the USA) cannot get rid of him and other nations do not want him…sound like Piers Morgan.

      Report this comment

      rickc34  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 5:17pm

    Nobody likes obama, anywhere in the World. You know this is true because you never see it, without the highly orchestrated Hollywood props. Busing people in, free food, free concert, free everything., many are paid to be there. It’s a joke. It has been a ruse science day one.
    Describe obama without using the hollywood illusion of the name ‘obama’ and he is one of the most loathed persons on the Planet. No 2 ways about it. Still they put put these mock polls about ‘likability’. 100% ruse all the way. Ask anyone about attributes and they despise obamas and rightfully so. This especially includes blacks.

    Report this comment

    Ghandi was a Republican  
  • denkat56
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:54pm

    Finally they are blaming the right person, wrong reason but what the heck at least he’s getting blamed for something.

    Report this comment

    denkat56  
  • shorelineliz
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:54pm

    Obama is NOT welcome in Palestine? oh my. it is such a jungle out there. I recommend vodka martinis. for everyone.

    Report this comment

    shorelineliz  
    • Sgt Lamb
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 5:28pm

      i belive Obama shoud get out of “”The beast”" and walk around, and get to know the Locals. Who clearly just don’t understand his brillance…………………………………

      Report this comment

      Sgt Lamb  
  • woodyee
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:53pm

    “Obama is not welcome here.”

    All that money to the Muslim Bro’s, to Alqaeda satellite groups, to antiAmerican ‘freedom fighters’ in Syria, to murderous thugs in Libya…all for nothing…

    Well wait! Maybe if Obammy gives them a little more…Bamaphones? It works here!

    Report this comment

    woodyee  
  • MrSunshine
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:47pm

    They just want they’s Obama phones.

    Report this comment

    MrSunshine  
    • IndyGuy
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:56pm

      Have no fear…Obama will come to the rescue with American Taxpayer dollars…And he’ll pay their rent and fill their tanks too…

      Report this comment

      IndyGuy  
  • firearm
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:41pm

    “blasted Obama for coming solely to help Israelis.” If they think that they do new new technology to get up to speed.

    Report this comment

    firearm  
  • neverending
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:41pm

    Too bad they stopped there. I was hoping maybe they would keep the brick sob.

    Report this comment

    neverending  
  • TheBurningTruth
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:39pm

    Looks like the Arabs infesting Palestine (never was a state of Palestine) are as confused and lost in what they want as President Marxist is with his foreign policy. Sure would enjoy seeing the tread-mark of a size 9b sandal on Barry’s forehead.

    Report this comment

    TheBurningTruth  
  • GO-FOR-LIBERTY
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:34pm

    Interesting—into the lions den we go. Note to 0 send Valaree first, smooth the way for you bub.

    Report this comment

    GO-FOR-LIBERTY  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:30pm

    Wait until they find out about toilet paper.
    REBELS: Achmed, check this out, its soft paper, you can wipe your **** with, and you don’t have to use your finger.”
    ACHMED: “What, when did this come out, who has this technology?”
    REBELS: “The Americans, and they got lots of it, I hear they have many different styles, although they have one strange rule, “Don’t Squeeze the Charmin”, what ever that means”
    ACHMED: “We must riot and protest King Obama, he must give us this technology now, I am tired of using my finger and sand.”

    Report this comment

    Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  

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