A Very Telling Omission
Two French citizens (no names available) and Mahdi Abu Ghazaleh (C), spokesman of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, before the hostage's release in the West Bank city of Nablus January 23, 2007. Palestinian militants seized a French diplomat and his two bodyguards on Tuesday in the West Bank city of Nablus, and released them two hours later to another French envoy, witnesses and the militants said. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK)
How telling is it that Abed Omar Qusini can name the spokesman of al-Aqsa, but not the two French captives who were pictured with him.
For the record, a French diplomat and two of his bodyguards were taken hostage by al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade, after the group suspected them of running guns.
Gun-running? The French? Sacre Bleu!
I'm sure Fatah is merely offended by the recipient of said weapons, rather than the actual act of the gun-running. Note that the French captives were released shortly thereafter, according to reports. I expect that means a new deal has been struck, and a new client has signed up for "services rendered."
And business in the West Bank goes on as usual.
Two French citizens (no names available) and Mahdi Abu Ghazaleh (C), spokesman of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, before their release in the West Bank city of Nablus January 23, 2007. Palestinian militants seized a French diplomat and his two bodyguards on Tuesday in the West Bank city of Nablus, and released them two hours later to another French envoy, witnesses and the militants said. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK)
Notice that Nasser Ishtayeh, of the Associated Press, has no problems naming the captives, Eric Foquet-Lapar and Laurent Alegre:
Deputy French consul general in Jerusalem Eric Fouquet-Lapar, right, and Deputy French Consul Laurent Alegre, center, are seen next to members of The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which is linked to President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, one of whom is displaying weapons they claim were taken from the detained French group, following their release at the West Bank town of Nablus, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007. Palestinian militants on Tuesday released three French citizens they had briefly kidnapped in the West Bank, witnesses said. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades said it seized the men after it grew suspicious because they were carrying guns. It said the suspects claimed they were French tourists. (AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)
Deputy French Consul in Jerusalem Laurent Alegre is escorted by members of The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which is linked to President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, following his release at the West Bank town of Nablus, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007. Palestinian militants on Tuesday released three French citizens they had briefly kidnapped in the West Bank, witnesses said. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades said it seized the men after it grew suspicious because they were carrying guns. It said the suspects claimed they were French tourists. (AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)
A French citizen (no name available) sits between Palestinian militants from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, before his release in the West Bank city of Nablus January 23, 2007. Palestinian militants seized a French diplomat and his two bodyguards on Tuesday in the West Bank city of Nablus, and released them two hours later to another French envoy, witnesses and the militants said. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK)
Palestinians try to destroy the burning jeep of three kidnapped French citizens in the West Bank city of Nablus January 23, 2007. Palestinian militants seized a French diplomat and his two bodyguards on Tuesday in the West Bank city of Nablus, and released them two hours later to another French envoy, witnesses and the militants said. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK)
Palestinians try to destroy the burning jeep of three kidnapped French citizens in the West Bank city of Nablus January 23, 2007. Palestinian militants seized a French diplomat and his two bodyguards on Tuesday in the West Bank city of Nablus, and released them two hours later to another French envoy, witnesses and the militants said. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK)
Palestinians look at the burning jeep of three kidnapped French citizens in the West Bank city of Nablus January 23, 2007. Palestinian militants seized a French diplomat and his two bodyguards on Tuesday in the West Bank city of Nablus, and released them two hours later to another French envoy, witnesses and the militants said. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK)
A Palestinian police member walks past a burnt car belonging to French diplomats following their release at the West Bank town of Nablus, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007. Palestinian militants on Tuesday released three French citizens they had briefly kidnapped in the West Bank, witnesses said. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which is linked to President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, said it seized the men after it grew suspicious because they were carrying guns. The militants said the suspects claimed they were French tourists. (AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)
