It seems unlikely to me this would/could be a "scam"...he's been posting for help/information since day one.
Yes, he's made negative comments - about the US State Dept., this is not the same as being anti-US, or anti-Israel.
Once home & safe, I'm sure he'll have more measured comments to make. (I believe he's stated he's considering writing a book - that'd be interesting wouldn't it...?)
I'm not suggesting he's "so so so distraught". Frustrated, getting angry, tired,and stressed at the inept bureaucratic snafus, yes. (My comments about his being "fragile" were overly dramatic I'll admit.
As pointed out by others, those who travel frequently, rarely if ever register their presence in a foreign country. It's just a reality.
MarMema, your comments bear repeating, IMHO,
"How about some compassion and support for a fellow freeper in a tight place? Let's be nice to Rebel. He's in a tough spot. When you travel a lot overseas you don't expect to be caught in the midst of a war."
Do me a favor, just go pull up only his posts and read them, all through this deal, go back a few pages- once you do that you should understand the backlash.
Maybe most do not expect to be caught in a war zone, but give me a break- you should understand it is a possibility almost anywhere in the ME in the past several years. Fact is it is always a possibility anywhere- and if one travels it should be in the back of their mind.
I have compassion for his situation, but seems most of his posts are not seeking help or info. Whining and blaming others is not a solution to any problem and it just brings out the worst side of me.
I am not convinced this is real, I am having 2nd thoughts about this being true, mostly because he does seem more interested in blaming and ranting than in solutions. Not once has he said maybe he should have made other choices- or acted as though he felt like he was at all responsible for his own well being.