Embedded with the Enemy, Licensed Edition!
"Hello? Twinkie Bears hotline? I'm looking for a friend to keep me company this evening."
[Image courtesy Newscom]
[Image courtesy Newscom]
Hamas has apparently issued a call for photographers to come and "observe" its smuggling operations underneath the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Despite the fact that such an operation is in flagrant violation of international law, a handful of stringers do appear to have heeded the call, and as such, have provided us with a propagandists' view of the Hamas humanitarian corps.
It goes without saying that Hamas aims to whitewash its smuggling operations with this photo-op, presenting itself as a heavenly force, engaged in smuggling nothing other than what those Dastardly Zionists™ prevent it from bringing into Gaza legally.
Of course, this is a blatant farce, as Israel does not block food and medicine from crossing the border. [Ed.:—Updated link courtesy Soccer Dad]
Does this stop our intrepid journalists from doing Hamas' bidding?
Heck, no.
Do our inquisitive young minds (or the editorial desks watching over them, for that matter) stop to think that this orchestration is being put on for their benefit, that this could very well be the only three packages of food or medicine to have ever crossed underneath this tunnel?
I'm sure you already know the answer to that one.
With that being said, on to our photographs, once again legally licensed thanks to our newfound acquaintances (and hopeful long-term friends) over at Newscom.
When I go through extraordinary effort to smuggle foodstuffs through a random country's border, I usually see fit to close the sacks to make sure that nothing falls out. Not so our Hamas heroines [Ed.:—Yes, I use the feminine form on purpose], who make absolutely certain that the press notices their Oh-So-Holy task of providing trademarked Nestle™ products to the peaceful children of Palestine.
I'm licensed to use AFP/Getty pictures through Newscom as well, but for some reason, their feed appears to be lagging. For that agency, Abid Katib reports:
[ 1 ]
Can any doctors out there certify that this is a safe and effective way of transporting medicine? Because, you know, I've always gone through extra effort to make sure that ours is stored in a nice, cool climate.
Okay, so maybe I didn't laugh that much, but I can only think of these as outtakes.
Like I said, I'm licensed through Newscom to use these, but since I can't locate them in Ye Database, I'll abstain for now.
Update: Some of Khatib's photos have made it to Newscom. Better late than never, I say!
[AFP/Said Khatib, in no particular order: 1, 2, 3, 4 ]
Of course, this is a blatant farce, as Israel does not block food and medicine from crossing the border. [Ed.:—Updated link courtesy Soccer Dad]
Does this stop our intrepid journalists from doing Hamas' bidding?
Heck, no.
Do our inquisitive young minds (or the editorial desks watching over them, for that matter) stop to think that this orchestration is being put on for their benefit, that this could very well be the only three packages of food or medicine to have ever crossed underneath this tunnel?
I'm sure you already know the answer to that one.
With that being said, on to our photographs, once again legally licensed thanks to our newfound acquaintances (and hopeful long-term friends) over at Newscom.
Series One: It's Food, Dang It!
When I go through extraordinary effort to smuggle foodstuffs through a random country's border, I usually see fit to close the sacks to make sure that nothing falls out. Not so our Hamas heroines [Ed.:—Yes, I use the feminine form on purpose], who make absolutely certain that the press notices their Oh-So-Holy task of providing trademarked Nestle™ products to the peaceful children of Palestine.
(UPI Photo/Ismael Mohamad)
(UPI Photo/Ismael Mohamad)
(UPI Photo/Ismael Mohamad)
(UPI Photo/Ismael Mohamad)
I'm licensed to use AFP/Getty pictures through Newscom as well, but for some reason, their feed appears to be lagging. For that agency, Abid Katib reports:
[ 1 ]
Series Two: And Thus Goes Medicine
Can any doctors out there certify that this is a safe and effective way of transporting medicine? Because, you know, I've always gone through extra effort to make sure that ours is stored in a nice, cool climate.
You'd trust this guy to sell you medicine, right? (propaimages/Fday Adwan)
(propaimages/Fday Adwan)
(Zuma Press/Attribution Unkown)
Ah, the ancient and noble pharmaceutical arts! (Zuma Press/Attribution unknown)
Series Three: I Laughed Out Loud
Okay, so maybe I didn't laugh that much, but I can only think of these as outtakes.
This cliché picture could easily adorn any third-rate rap album. (UPI Photo/Ismael Mohamad)
"No, Achmed! Go play jump rope somewhere else. Can't you see that I'm trying to look tough over here?" (UPI Photo/Ismael Mohamad)
And a very nice telcommunication machine"talk walki" it is, too! (propaimages/Fday Adwan)
Cruft
Like I said, I'm licensed through Newscom to use these, but since I can't locate them in Ye Database, I'll abstain for now.
Update: Some of Khatib's photos have made it to Newscom. Better late than never, I say!
"Does this keffiyah make me look fat?" (AFP PHOTO/SAID KHATIB)
"... But hold the anchovies, please. By Allah, they smell so bad!" (AFP PHOTO/SAID KHATIB)
International Dockworkers Union, eat your heart out. (AFP PHOTO/SAID KHATIB)
[AFP/Said Khatib, in no particular order: 1, 2, 3, 4 ]
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