Israel Matzav

Former al-Aqsa 'martyr' suing Sacha Baron Cohen

In the movie, Cohen interviews the man, Ayman Abu Ayta, poking fun at terrorists and Al Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden.

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Abu Ayta, an east Jerusalem resident, says that since his release from an Israel jail seven years ago, he has not engaged in any terror activity.

He told Channel 10 that he had received an offer to help make a movie "to promote peace."

"You lied about me and you said you want to do something for the Palestinian people," he told Channel 10, addressing the comedian. "I saw the film. It is very bad for me."

His lawyer, Hatem Abu Ahmad, who is in negotiations with the movie makers over compensation, said "a dirty trick" was played on his client.

He also said that part of the damages claim is the fact that Ayman himself was portrayed as a homosexual, due to Bruno's character as a gay Austrian supermodel.

"If someone here calls you a homo, it's a very serious insult," said Ahmad.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:59 PM