Gazans demand mobile provider to allow them free votes for Arab Idol

The conclusion of Arab Idol is coming up, and Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf has reached the finals.

Gazans naturally want to vote for their native son, but they don't want to pay the mobile text messaging fees associated with it.

So they are protesting the mobile service provider!

Some claim that their text messages in support of Assaf are not getting delivered.

Naturally, a conspiracy theory is growing, that some unnamed Arab businessmen are colluding against Assaf's victory,  for reasons that are unclear.

Meanwhile, PA president Mahmoud Abbas is not above personal lobbying of the judges in the program:

“I no longer know what to say,” Lebanese singer Raghib Allama, a member of the jury, told Assaf.”But I can sum it up like this—your voice is measured by a gold balance.”

Allama, one of the most popular singers in the Middle East, told Assaf that on his way to the studio for the Arab Idol programme on that day, he was called by President Abbas.

“President Abbas commended all the singers, the jury and MBC for this achievement….he asked me to look after you,” Allama told Assaf.

Wealthy Palestinian Arab businessmen are also stuffing the ballot boxes, with billionaire Munib Masri saying that everyone should get out the vote and saying that "dozens of businessmen have purchased and sent thousands of messages in support of the artist."

The finals are set for next week.

While Assaf is undeniably handsome and has a good voice, part of his appeal is also that he has sung songs that deny the existence of Israel.