Spoiler Alert

Ray Hanania (the self-proclaimed “funniest Palestinian standup comedian”) and Jake Sully (a primary character in the movie Avatar) have a lot in common. Here’s how:

Jake is a paraplegic vet who is brought to the planet of Pandora, which is inhabited by the Na’vi — a humanoid race with their own unique culture and language.

Ray is a mentally challenged Palestinian man whose Jerusalem-born father’s sperm sent him to the country of America, which is inhabited by the Yanks — a society with its own unique culture and adaptation of the English language.

Freaked out by the coincidence? The similarities don’t end there…

In Avatar, Jake and his brother served in the army. Interestingly, Ray served with the air force and his father was a member of the US army. And just like Ray, Avatar Jake likes to fly on dragons.

Jake and Ray both think of themselves as building bridges of understanding between two peoples. As such, Jake took a Na’vi mate and Ray finds himself married to a Jewish woman.

Jake thought his work with the Na’vi people would help change the Na’vi’s opinion of the human race. For the same reason, Ray calls himself a “moderate Palestinian voice.” (Sadly, Ray is only an Arab when it advances his career.)

Jake’s mission is to exploit his Avatar identity to help the human military gather intel on precious resources scattered throughout the Na’vi’s rich woodland. Like most Palestinians who come to the United States, Ray’s father probably came to America in search of a better life, more opportunities and to enjoy an abundance of resources not available to him otherwise. In exchange for Jake’s intel gathering, he’s promised a spinal surgery that will give him back his legs. Ray, who lacks a spine, hopes that his efforts as a “moderate Palestinian voice” will attract the attention of someone who is able to help him reattach his balls.

While gathering intel, Jake records video blogs. Ray likes doing the same.

Both Jake and Ray appear to be confused about their identities. Jake finds himself at odds with his people and the local culture. Ray, on the other hand, can’t decide whether he’s a funny guy or a serious scholar. Research confirms that he’s neither.

Jake struggles with a few Na’vi men who are suspicious of his motives. In 2002, Ray was denied a gig by Jackie Mason, a famous standup comic who rejected the idea of Ray opening up for him because he mistakenly took Ray for a Palestinian who kept it real.

Finally, Jake ultimately turns on his human race. And Ray? Well he seems to have no problem throwing Palestinians and Arabs under the bus.

Like I said earlier, Ray Hanania is the Palestinian “Avatard.”

[Tarboush Tip: Programmer Buydatti]

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