Is Centanni/Wiig Release a Hamas Photo Op?

Fox News reporter Steve Centanni and New Zealand cameraman Olaf Wiig were kidnapped on August 14 in the Gaza Strip while covering the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.  This morning, they were both released.  Watch the Video.

The circumstances surrounding the release appear odd. Fox News reported it this way:

The two journalists were dropped off at Gaza City's Beach Hotel by Palestinian security officials and appeared to be in good health. A tearful Centanni embraced a Palestinian journalist briefly as he entered, then rushed upstairs as Wiig followed.

• Centanni and Wiig were immediately surrounded by Palestinian cameramen for an apparent photo-op. This seemed disconcerting to released cameraman Wiig.  (photo above: Centanni and Wiig bypassing Palestinian media/cameras)
• Upon entering the hotel to where Centanni and Wiig retired, loud wails of relief were heard both inside and outside of the hotel, as if the Palestinian journalists had some personal connection to these two men. 
• As a tense Wiig entered the hotel lobby, he seemed slightly angered or perhaps rattled and shook off a Palestinian who grabbed him and yelled, "Get off!" or "Let go!"
• The kidnappers were the previously unknown (or unexisting) Holy Jihad Brigade.  Created for this event, perhaps?
• According to Wiig's wife, kidnapping "is not the Palestinian way". 
• Centanni, Wiig and his wife sat down for a very public photo op with Palestinian Prime Minister:

Centanni made this post-release statement to the media:

I just hope this never scares a single journalist away from coming to Gaza to cover this story because the Palestinian people are very beautiful, kind-hearted, loving people who the world need to know more about and so do not be discouraged. Come and tell the story. It's a wonderful story.

This pro-Palestinian comment could be interpreted at an anti-Israeli comment.  If you were a Jew, how would you hear it?  Centanni, Wiig and his wife all gushed over the big-heartedness of the Palestinian people. Hmmm. 

Khaled Abu Hilal, a spokesman for the Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry, said the kidnapping of was harming Palestinian interests.

"We were shocked at their demands because we don't need a new door of hostility opened with the U.S.," he said.

True, Hamas doesn't need a new door of hostility opened with the U.S., but when has Hamas not been hostile to the U.S.?

Side note:  Centanni and Wiig were forced at gunpoint to convert to Islam:

"We were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint," Centanni told FOX News. "Don't get me wrong here. I have the highest respect for Islam, and I learned a lot of good things about it, but it was something we felt we had to do because they had the guns, and we didn't know what the hell was going on."

You MUST watch the conversion video below:

A coerced Centanni and Wiig tell us, at the point of a knife, that "Islam is not meant for just some people, but it is the true religion for all people of all times."  "Islam helps people to love mercy, brotherhood,  equality and justice."  "Muslims are good people and have Allah in their hearts."  "Muslim people believe in peace and brotherhood." 

Predictably, the forced message of Centanni and Wiig is almost word for word that of the current anti-war movement and much of the Democratic Party.  Compare this forced statement by Centanni and Wiig with Democratic talking points about Pres. Bush, why Muslims hate us, how the US should acquiesce and why we shouldn't be in Iraq:

CENTANNI:  There is no justification for invading Afghanistan and bringing death, injury and suffering to innocent men, women and children. There is no justice when USA invades Iraq and again, leaving death, injury and suffering in its wake. The suffering of innocent men, women and children.

Its an offense against Islam and against Allah when Muslim people are imprisoned in Abu Ghraib and tortured there. Islam forbids tortures, even of non-Muslims.

I have a message for Pres. Bush as well. Islam is not fascism. Words like that only serve to deepen a great chasm between peoples and fan the flames of anger and distrust that already burn in the Muslim world.

The West is seen as waging war on Isalm, and these words, "Islamofascists', only reconfirm that belief among many. Please Pres. Bush, please Tony Blair, open your minds to Islam and bring peace to all people around the world.

WIIG:  America and George Bush are seen as being evil in some people's eyes in this part of the world. And statements from George Bush like we're at war with Islamic fascists doesn't help. It's time that the leaders of the West listen to the people, take notice of the millions protesting in the streets, stop hiding behind the 'I don't negotiate with terrorists' myth."

The whole thing was just a little too staged from start to finish.  As we've learned in recent months, the Palestinians, Hamas and Hezbollah are no strangers to sexing up the news and creating photo op propaganda.  It could very well be intended to circulate support for the poor Palestinian people or the terrorist group/party Hamas.  If the Holy Jihad Brigade, with whom the Palestinian government/Hamas negotiated, is not prosecuted, arrested or brought to some sort of justice, something's up.  Time will tell, but I'm suspicious.

At any rate, we're grateful for this:

OTHERS BLOGGING:

Michelle Malkin  Ms. Underestimated  Johnny Dollar  Hot Air  AubreyJ

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Comments

[Johnny]

Islam is a religion of coercion, I do not see how anyone could argue the opposite.

Amy's point is the bottom line: The Islamofacist talking points and the DNC's talking points are almost identical. And you want to trust these people with the security of the United States?

[Mark Krauss]

I'm glad to see them free and alive, and won't criticize their actions, but I feel an obligation to my maker that would prohibit me from "converting" to Islam, guns, knives, or whatever was pointed at me, much as I'd like to keep my noggin firmly attached between my shoulders, I don't think I'd have co-operated.

personally, I think it's time to turn the tables on these jackasses, they like to use our respect for life against us, time to use their beliefs against them, pig warfare, think about it, all terrorist convicts bound for execution? bring the convicts to the firing line, send in the pigs, shoot convicts, let the pigs feed, film it, send film to Al-jazeera, see how many terrorists work tomorrow. (don't mind me, rough day, it's a thought though, 'aint it?)

[Aimz]

I too am happy to see them safe and sound, we all know that it doesn't happen often, usually the hostages are found dead so it sounds like it was a good outcome. Wiig's wife is a new zealander and I personally can't see her or her husband converting to Islam no matter what, still if it's proven that he did then I'd be disapointed like most kiwis would.

[AubreyJ]

Regardless of the motives... I'm glad it's over for them.
There's a lot we will never know about this kidnapping.
AubreyJ.........

[Phil]

Aimz

Aimz Wrote: till if it's proven that he did then I'd be disapointed like most kiwis would.

What is kiwis?
Let see what it says about kiwis.

One entry found for kiwi.
Main Entry: ki·wi
Pronunciation: 'kE-(")wE
Function: noun
Etymology: Maori
1 : any of a small genus (Apteryx) of flightless New Zealand birds with rudimentary wings, stout legs, a long bill, and grayish brown hairlike plumage
2 capitalized : a native or resident of New Zealand -- used as a nickname
3 : KIWIFRUIT

So Aimz is KIWIFRUIT something like what we have here in San Francisco?

[Aimz]

yep kiwifruit is the same fuzzy brown skinned fruit with green pulp inside, but when I was referring to a kiwi I didn't mean the fruit I mean us new zealanders, that's what we refer to ourselves as our national bird is the kiwi. Hope that makes sense.

[Amy P]

Hello my Kiwi friend! Amy is a great Christian woman from New Zealand. Eventually I'm going to scrounge up enough extra money for a fantasy vacation there that will include a visit, some tea, and some good conversation with Amy. :)

I agree that the main point is that IT'S OVER. Thank God for their release.

However, watching it unfold on TV and seeing the PM of Palestine smiling, meeting with them in a public photo op smelled rank of some of the photo staging we've seen by Hezbollah in the past months. I have a feeling Centanni and Wiig are pawns being used once again by the Hamas media for propaganda to show how nice, kind and peaceful Hamas truly is. This is BS. They are a terrorist organization.

That being said, thank God for the release, but beware of the motive. I'm not giving Hamas or Palestine any validation for this. If it is sincere and it was a collaborative effort that truly saved their lives, God be praised. If not, thank God for their release and let's call a spade a spade.

[Leticia]

I am also relieved to see them released, but again, these biased people want us to feel sorry and embrace Islam and the Palestinians? Nope, I don't think so. My support will always be for Israel.

I am totally fed up with people trying to coerce us into feeling sorry for Palestine, while Israel's people are left in the dust.

[Aimz]

Absolutely Amy P! I'm glad that these two are safe that's for sure, let's hope and pray that others are let go too, although I wouldn't hold my breath but it would be good. I'd love for you and Leticia to come here someday!

[Tom]

It's great news that the guys have been released.
And I'm sure that every sensible person will realise that the journalists' "conversion to Islam at knifepoint" lacks a certain validity.
It did make me think. Being told "convert to Islam or we'll cut your throat" would be a very frightening scenario. Would I have the courage to maintain my allegiance to Christ and refuse to comply with them? I hope so. Perhaps it's a question that cannot be answered until it actually happened.

[Hawkeye]

Hi Amy,

Good article. I think a few of those clowns over there kidnapped the wrong guys and the Palestinian Authority figured it out right quick. You heard what Centanni said... "I just hope this never scares a single journalist away from coming to Gaza". Like... DUH! If nobody from the press went there, then who would distribute their propaganda? The Islamo-fascists (and they ARE fascists)... are using the media as a weapon. Take away the media and you are disarming them. That's why they came up with a fake name for their organization, because the Palestinian Authority didn't want to be associated with this royal screw-up. That's why they staged the media event... so they could look like the GOOD guys.

Yeah RIGHT!

Best regards...

[Hawkeye]

P.S.--

If it was me, I probably wouldn't have made it out alive. I hope that God would have given me the strength to stand firm in my Christianity and denounce Allah (Satan in disguise)!

[Leticia]

Aimz, God willing, I hope we can see that day.

[Trent]

Tom,

I agree. Personally, I think a more sadistic tactic would be their slitting someone else's throat if you don't convert. I dunno if that's ever happened, but I shudder to think how most peoples' consciences would just be decimated by that.

[Greta (Hooah wife)]

Let's see what happens to them after they return. I have a feeling they will change their names back rapidly & dance to a different tune.

[Amy Proctor]

Centanni said,

"We were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint. Don't get me wrong here. I have the highest respect for Islam, and I learned a lot of good things about it, but it was something we felt we had to do because they had the guns, and we didn't know what the hell was going on."

I doubt he was a serious convert! I've heard it said that if he publicly denounces Islam he's painting a bullseye on himself. I haven't heard that either Centanni or Wiig are religious in any regard so I don't think it's unsual that they'd fake convert.

I'm with Tom. It would have been a different struggle altogether if it had been me taken hostage. I hope I would have the strength not to convert. I can't see converting to save my life. The horror and fear of the moment could change my mind, but in reality I cannot imagine denying Christ.

[Lady Jane]

Interesting post, Amy. I was at the lake and didn't follow the coverage of their release. I am certainly glad they are safely returned. It will be interesting to see what they have to say and if the truth will come out.

[Timmer]

Great post Amy - as always!

Just to let you know, I'M BACK! It's great to devote more time to things that are important, but I have missed the ranting - it just isn't the same yelling at the Television!

Timmer

[Gayle]

It seems too pat to me too, Amey. Excellent post by the way.

I don't know what I would do if I was forced to convert to Islam to save my skin. I would like to think I wouldn't do it, but who knows unless one has the knife or gun pointed at them? I won't judge them for that; they had relatives to consider.

But all this bleating about the Palestinians being so wonderful after they were freed? One has to wonder!

[Old Soldier]

Amy, if the terrorists were serious, convert or die, I'd have found myself in the arms of Christ. There is no way I could deny Him. Paul said, "To live is Christ, to die is gain." Very comforting words in times when you aren't sure about your next breath.

God bless,

[Amy Proctor]

Gayle and Old Soldier, my first instinct is to say I'd never convert. Well, it's a 100% certainty I wouldn't convert, but would I fake a conversion? The thought of getting my head sawed off would terrify me, but when understanding that the pain of death is relatively short, that would help me reject. I will NEVER renounce Christianity, ever. I just cannot do it. But I don't know the religiousness of either Centanni or Wiig, so it's understandable that if they are not particularly religious that they would fake a conversion to save themselves.

[bet]

Amy,
I pray I am NEVER in the situation where I have a gun to my head and someone saying convert. Of course I would never want to deny Christ, and if it were just me in this world there would be no question. But, what about the kids? Then again, what kind of example would I be if I were to deny Christ, I definitly wouldn't want that. SO, I figure I would just act insane. You know, start drooling, and hitting my head on the wall, repeating meaningless phrases. I figure the captives would think I lost it and give me up as a lost cause! That's my plan and I'm sticking to it! Then of course after they release me we send in the 82nd :)

[Amy P]

Betty, you crack me up! I see you've really thought this through! For the kids, then your witness, then... just start drooling and hitting your head on the wall! That's hilarious.

Johnny and I second your tactics and particularly stand behind sending in the 82nd. The war would have been over LOOONG ago if the entire Army was the 82nd! Terrorists pee in their pants when the 82nd is around. :)

[Jim Dandy]

Olaf Wiig Is that a standard name for New Zealand? It almost seems to be more Scandinavian?
Either Norwegian, or Sweedish, or even Finish. something like that but I don't know if that is a standard New Zealand name.

[Jim D]

Wiig is actually a very unusual name here in NZ. There are only 40 entries for it in the phone book for the entire country.

"Centanni, Wiig and his wife all gushed over the big-heartedness of the Palestinian people."

I'm not surprised at that. It's well known here that Anita (Olaf's wife) is a lefty and a sympathiser of the Palestinians (she is a reporter).

Keep up the good work that you do Amy!