Snapped Shot

What do you suppose the odds are of capturing a kidnapping on camera in the Palestinian territories? Not surprisingly, based on the media's stellar record of embedding themselves with the enemy, the odds are very good:


More pictures of this farce of reporting follow the break. Continue reading »

More to follow shortly.

AFP photographer Jaime Razuri has been kidnapped "by unidentified gunmen" in the Palestinian Territories! I'll have more details as soon as I get them, but for now, here are some pictures of a demonstration calling for his immediate release.

(This shows you how behind I am -- The kidnapping occurred 4 days ago, according to wire reports. Still working on catching up, so bear with me, folks!)

From what I can tell, this is Jaime's blog. I don't have any translations handy, but I'll be scouring it shortly. Update: The blog is dedicated to Jaime's liberation, it is not his. Reading comprehension before coffee = Bad. Reading comprehension en espanol before coffee = Worse.

According to the Palestinian government, which is controlled mostly by Fatah, Mr. Razuri was kidnapped by Hamas. Considering the source, I'll take that with a grain of salt.

Other bloggers: Not Ready for my Burqa, EuropeHorizon, Joshuapundit, Israelated, Letra Suelta, Power and Control, Yoni the Blogger, Black Dog Brigade, Pajamas Media, Backspin.

News: AFP 2 3 4 5.



Update 8-Jan: Jaime has been released!

Update 19 May: Many thanks to Leigh for the positive feedback! Continue reading »

Photographer Emilio Morenatti, 37, of the Associated Press, was taken captive in the Gaza Strip this morning. No word from the captors yet, but my prayers are with Emilio and his family for his safe return!

According to the captions on the photo wires, Emilio was accosted as he was leaving his apartment for an Associated Press vehicle, and was forced into the captors' vehicle. I'll fill in with more details as they come in. Hajed Hamdan, the AP driver assigned to pick up Emilio, was confronted by the captors, who stole his phone and keys, and instructed him at gunpoint to turn away.

The vehicle was reportedly a white Volkswagen.

It will be interesting to see the reason for Emilio's capture. Based on the wire photographs he's been sending out, he is fairly well connected with Palestinian militants, or at the very least, is openly allowed to operate around them. At least, Arutz Sheva is claiming as much. Is he being used as leverage in the battle between Fatah and Hamas? Will demands be made for the release of prisoners from Israel for his return? No word yet, but I'll report as soon as I hear anything.

Emilio, I'm hoping and praying for your safe return!

(There is extensive news coverage of this event, too detailed for me to list here. Stay tuned for updates!)

Update 12:24 EST: It would appear that Reuters is blaming Israel and the United States, to nobody's surprise, for the "continued lawlessness" in the West Bank and Gaza. Of course, the local population's open support of terrorists has nothing to do with the lawlessness that terrorism brings about, does it?