Updates from Israel. August 23

7:06 PM Video Released of kidnapped FOX journalists in Gaza.

A previously unknown Palestinian group released the first video Wednesday of two kidnapped Fox News journalists and demanded that Muslim prisoners in U.S. jails be released within 72 hours in exchange for the men, a Palestinian news agency reported.

In the video, Steve Centanni, 60, of the San Francisco area, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand, appeared to be in good health, seated on the floor in sweat suits against a black background. No armed men were shown.

"Our captors are treating us well," Centanni said, adding that they had access to clean water, showers, bathrooms, food and clothing.

"So, just want to let you know I am here and alive and give my love to my family and friends and ask to do anything you can to try to help us get out of here," he added.

Wiig called for help to get them freed.

"If you could apply any pressure on the local government here in Gaza and the West Bank, that would be much appreciated by Steve and myself," Wiig said. (BREITBART)


6:28 PM EL-AL flight lands safely at JFK airport in NYC.

6:24 PM Apparently a technical problem with the wheels of the ELAL flight...anyone have another update on the situation? Has the flight landed yet?

6:17 PM EL-AL flight 001 from Tel-Aviv to NYC making emergency landing in NYC. Reasons for emergency landing request unknown at this time.

5:32 PM Speechless. Channel 10 just announced the results of a poll they conducted: If there would be elections today for Prime Minister, who would you vote for? Check out the following results:

Amir Peretz 1%

Shimon Peres 2.6%

Ehud Olmert 3.4%

Benjamin Netanyahu 46.5%

Avigdor Leiberman 46.5%

2:30 PM Gotta love this guy. Kadima MK Meir Shitreet says: "You don't topple a government over every little thing..." After all -- the war was such a little thing...just a minor blip in Israel's history, that it doesn't warrant a serious response. Olmert is trying his hardest to prevent an official government inquiry into the handling of the war, rather, using every spin possible to tone down the board of inquiry...(NRG)

1:44 PM IDF Casualties on the border of South Lebanon Cleared for publication, 1 killed, 2 in serious condition, 1 moderate. Senior officers are among the wounded. The soldiers, from the Givati Briagade were hurt by walking in a minefield in South Lebanon near the border.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael