Snapped Shot

The wire services are genuinely rallying to Hamas' support in this latest Israeli offensive. Case in point is this photo, filed by Reuters with the immediate storyline-following caption:

A student holds an Israeli flag during a protest at Hebrew University in Jerusalem against Israel's offensive in Gaza December 29, 2008. Israeli aircraft destroyed a bastion of Hamas's rule over the Gaza Strip on Monday, the third day of an offensive that has killed more than 300 Palestinians in the deadliest violence in the territory in decades. Hamas fired a rocket salvo into the Israeli city of Ashkelon, killing one person, the second such fatality since Israeli bombing began on Saturday. REUTERS/Nikola Solic (JERUSALEM)

Now, it's not too far beyond reason to suspect that muttonhead university students would be rallying against the Israeli military, but it did seem a little bit odd to see her holding the Israeli flag sans fire.

To my surprise, Reuters issued an update mere moments later:

REFILE - CORRECTING REASON FOR DEMONSTRATION A student holds an Israeli flag during a rally at Hebrew University in Jerusalem in support of Israeli troops and residents of the Gaza border December 29, 2008. Israeli aircraft destroyed a bastion of Hamas's rule over the Gaza Strip on Monday, the third day of an offensive that has killed more than 300 Palestinians in the deadliest violence in the territory in decades. Hamas fired a rocket salvo into the Israeli city of Ashkelon, killing one person, the second such fatality since Israeli bombing began on Saturday. REUTERS/Nikola Solic (JERUSALEM)

Would it be too much for me to suggest that the Reuters Middle East desk needs to slow down a bit, and stop trying to shove events into their predetermined narratives quite so fast?

Update: Soccer Dad sends along a similar Reuters photo, which has not been corrected yet, as far as I can tell.

He also sent this AFP photo over, which may help explain some of Reuters' confusion:

Israeli right-wing students hold Israeli flags (top) and left-wing students hold a Palestinian flag (bottom) during simultaneous demonstration for and against the military operation on the Gaza Strip on December 29, 2008 in front of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip has sparked protests across the occupied West Bank and the world, with demonstrations held in European capitals, Turkey, Egypt and Syria AFP PHOTO/AHMAD GHARABLI (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Again, my advice to Reuters would be to slow down. The world can wait, if it means having access to a more accurate caption.

Rumour has it that there's a massive DAY OF ANGER!! (now where have I seen this before?) planned to protest the Israeli "destruction" of the al-Aqsa mosque. I haven't seen any photos of it yet, but considering that today is Friday, the Muslim holy day—and traditionally the day of the largest organized worldwide protests—I expect we'll be seeing quite a bit of action on the wires shortly.

Plenty of "anger" and "rage" are evident in the photographs, following the break. I ask you: Aside from "anger" and "rage," what else is there in the Muslim world?

Update: From what I can tell, there are two separate efforts underway. The primary is a large, "peaceful" protest, with plenty of flag-waving, propaganda posters, and other traditional elements of jihadi misinformation. The secondary seems to be an effort to goad the Israeli police into a firefight using "stone throwers" and other violent elements.

We shall see which side gets the greater coverage...

Previously on Snapped Shot: Selective Outrage Syndrome, Selective Outrage Syndrome, Day 2

Update: Here's the background on why all of this inflamed "protest" is genuinely fake. Thanks to LGF commenter BabbaZee for the link!

Update: In a rather interesting twist, it seems that this is a Palestinian day of RAGE, considering we haven't seen any action on the wires from Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, or any of the other usual hot spots. I'll keep an eye on the wires, of course, but I find it interesting that nothing's come across yet. Continue reading »