Former Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath feigned hearing problems when CNN host John Berman confronted him about Hamas’ rejection of a 24 hour cease-fire.
The awkward exchange took place Tuesday on CNN’s This Hour. Shaath repeatedly touched his earpiece when Berman began discussing the rejected cease-fire. "Do you believe that Hamas truly wants peace? And talk to me about the tunnels from Gaza into Israel- what are they for if not to infiltrate and target civilians?" Berman asked him. Shaath blinked several times and stayed silent to give the impression that he could not hear Berman. He finally answered after a few quiet moments.
"The Palestinian people are for a cease-fire," the former Palestinian Foreign Minister declared.
Berman told him, "But Hamas just rejected a 24 hour cease-fire."
Shaath stared blankly at the camera before pretending to adjust his earpiece and asking Berman, "Come again?"
The CNN host repeated himself, "I said Hamas just rejected a 24 hour cease-fire."
Once again, Shaath waited a few moments before answering. "…The Palestinian people want a cease-fire immediately, to stop the carnage in Gaza," he said, ignoring Berman’s previous statements that Hamas had already rejected a 24 hour cease-fire.