Abbas urges everyone to vote - for "Arab Idol" TV contestant (updated)

Mahmoud Abbas, who is currently in the ninth year of his four year term, has finally embraced the idea of voting.

President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday urged Palestinian communities across the world to vote for Arab Idol contestant Mohammad Assaf, the first Palestinian to reach the final of the pan-Arab show.

Abbas instructed the PA Ministry of Foreign Affairs to contact international Palestinian embassies in order to mobilize support for the Arab Idol star, and urged the Palestinian diaspora to vote for Assaf.

The president praised Assaf's creativity and powerful voice, calling him a son of Palestine who is bringing joy to his people.

Here's the contestant showing why Abbas cheers for him so enthusiastically, as PA TV has broadcast it numerous times since Assaf sang it first:

"Oh flying bird, circling round,
My eyes protect you and Allah keeps you safe
By Allah, oh traveling [bird], I burn with envy
My country Palestine is beautiful
Turn to Safed and then to Tiberias,
And send regards to the sea of Acre and Haifa
Don't forget Nazareth - the Arab fortress,
And tell Beit Shean about its people's return
By Allah, oh traveling [bird], I burn with envy
My country Palestine is beautiful."

Every single city he mentions is in Israel, not the territories.

This isn't a case of Palestinian Arab pride, but - as usual - an expression of their desire to destroy Israel.

Which is really what the entire purpose of Palestinian Arab "nationalism" is, and has been, since it started.

UPDATE: IDF Arabic spokesman Avichai Adraee on Facebook claims that Hamas is not happy with Assaf and demanded he quit the competition; also that Hamas is fining people who put his picture and posters about him in public.

Assaf denied this. I haven't verified one way or the other yet.