Palestine minister quits after on-air insult
2011-12-01 20:55
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Palestine
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Ramallah - Palestinian Labour Minister Ahmed Majdalani said Thursday he had offered his resignation after insulting remarks he made about government workers were accidentally broadcast on local radio.
"I have put my resignation at the disposal of the government of the president of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad," Majdalani said in a statement.
"As I have courtesy and political courage and ethics, I repeat my apologies to my sisters and brothers for my inappropriate behaviour and assure them that I did not intend to offend anyone," he added.
Majdalani has been under fire since remarks he made about government workers, describing them as "brothers of whores," were accidentally broadcast live on Palestinian local radio on November 24.
Majdalani made the comments after an interview with Rayya FM, apparently unaware that the radio microphone was still on.
He subsequently apologised and denied he was referring to government employees, claiming his remarks were in reference to Israel and its measures in the West Bank.
But the incident angered civil servants and the Palestinian workers union, prompting calls for his resignation and a demonstration on Tuesday in Ramallah.
