During a recent TV debate between Jordanian MP Muhammad Al-Shawabika and former Jordanian MP Mansour Seif Al-Din Murad, Al-Shawabika lost his temper, pulled a pistol from his belt, and brandished it in the direction of his adversary. The program aired on the privately-owned Jordanian JoSat TV channel, and a segment showing the altercation was posted on YouTube on July 6, 2012.
This is not the first time that the JoSat studios have become the scene of heated debates. For a previous discussion on the situation in Syria which got out of hand, see MEMRI TV clip 3223 (http://www.memri.org/legacy/clip/3223).
Following are excerpts:
Mansour Seif Al-Din Murad: "I was the first to discuss this issue…"
Muhammad Al-Shawabika: "90% of the Jordanian people have discussed it…"
Mansour Seif Al-Din Murad: "No, no. If you have any self-respect, don't…"
Moderator: "I won't allow it. I don't allow it."
Muhammad Al-Shawabika: "Tell me who you are. You are a Syrian collaborator."
Moderator: [to Al-Shawabika] "Talk to me. Abu Sleiman, talk to me." [turning to Seif Al-Din Murad] "Be patient."
Muhammad Al-Shawabika: "You lowlife…"
Mansour Seif Al-Din Murad: "You are the lowlife here…"
Muhammad Al-Shawabika: "You are despicable. Shame on you. A Syrian collaborator…"
Mansour Seif Al-Din Murad: "You are a Mafia thief. You bought people's votes."
Muhammad Al-Shawabika: "That's what you did. Shut up."
Mansour Seif Al-Din Murad: "To hell with you and your father…"
Muhammad Al-Shawabika bends down, takes off his shoe and hurls it at Mansour Seif Al-Din Murad, who knocks over his desk and ducks in an attempt to dodge the shoe. Al-Shawabika pulls a pistol out of his belt and points it in the direction of Murad. The moderator jumps in between the men. Al-Shawabika returns the weapon to his belt, and the physical altercation continues. The TV crew mutes the sounds in the studio but the images continue.
