Looking for a new and fresh approach to solving the Israel/Palestine conflict? Don’t ask US Representative Joe Pitts, the Pennsylvania congressman who has become something of an internet sensation. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported yesterday:
Replying to a Chester County constituent’s e-mail regarding Middle East tensions, Pitts wrote on April 20 that “it is now incumbent on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasir Arafat” to hunker down at the negotiating table.
Problem is, Arafat died in 2004. And Sharon, no longer Israel’s leader, has lain in a coma-like state since a massive stroke in 2006.
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“Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns,” Pitts began. “. . .With the global war against terrorism, it is now incumbent on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasir Arafat to clamp down on Palestinian extremists that have perpetuated violence and to restart a peace process.”
Pitts’ assistant said: “It’s a dumb mistake that is the result of human error in a complicated mail system,” rather than a reflection of the congressman’s knowledge of international affairs.
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The Times of Israel reported that neither Sharon or Arafat were available for comment.
Hat-tip: Huffington Post