Israel Matzav

Mark Steyn on Sacha Baron Cohen and Abu Ayta

On Tuesday, I reported that a former al-Aqsa 'martyr' named Abu Ayta was furious with Sacha Baron Cohen over Cohen's portrayal of Abu Aita in his new film Bruno. In particular, Abu Ayta was angry that he was portrayed as a homosexual (video at the link). Later Tuesday, the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades issued a threat against Cohen.

“We reserve the right to respond in the way we find suitable against this man,” it said. “The movie was part of a conspiracy against the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades...”

The group is alleged to be responsible for dozens of suicide bombings and shootings. It has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the European Union and the United States. Baron Cohen’s Austrian character ridicules the Martyrs’ Brigades when he attempts to get himself kidnapped during a meeting with Ayman Abu Aita, who is identified in the film as the leader of the organisation.

As I noted, one of the reasons Abu Ayta is so upset is because he believes the film characterizes him as a homosexual. The inimitable Mark Steyn comments.

Can't wait till that winds up in front of our new empathetic Supreme Court: Isn't it Islamophobic to characterize Palestinians as homophobic?

(With apologies to those who have not been following the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor for the United States Supreme Court).

Heh.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:33 PM