A retired senior Middle East intel official provided the best answer for Mahmoud Abbas' crossed legs and the showing of his sole: The poor guy is squirming because of a prostate problem.
Sphere: Related ContentFriday, November 30, 2007
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I beg to differ. While Abbas may or may not have a prostate problem, one thing is clear - his action represents a deliberate show of contempt for his two guests, Bush and Olmert, one that will clearly be interpreted as such by his Arab compatriots. As you stated, you were taught this in diplomat school. It is considered insulting in the Arab world. I'm sure Abbas would not scratch his backside or pick his nose in public, no matter how uncomforable he felt. If he chose to "bare his sole," he did so intentionally. Note that in each picture, his leg is crossed to enable his guest to get a view of his sole, a point certainly not lost on Arab viewers of the scene.
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