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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Hamas says BBC reporter's abductors ID'd |
| 2007-03-13 |
| GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - The Hamas-led Palestinian government on Tuesday said it has identified the kidnappers of a BBC journalist abducted in Gaza by four masked gunmen, and hopes to free him soon. We're just working out the split... The abduction Monday of BBC television correspondent Alan Johnston was the latest in a string of kidnappings of foreign journalists in the Gaza Strip. Oh, c'mon now. Just the Pali version of harmless fun. Government spokesman Ghazi Hamad said the kidnapping hurt the Palestinian cause. "The kidnappers have no nationalism, they want a cheap reward," he said. "They are well-known, and we hope he will be found today." Yeah, leave that cheap reward stuff to us, the professionals. Hamad spoke at a protest in front of the BBC office, where 30 Palestinian reporters called for the journalist's quick release. Johnston, originally from Scotland, had been reporting from Gaza for the past three years. In a statement Tuesday, the BBC said it still had no confirmation of his whereabouts: "We are working closely with the Palestinian authorities and others to establish the facts surrounding the situation." We wish they'd tell us how much so we can get this over with... In the past 18 months, more than a dozen foreign journalists and aid workers have been abducted in Gaza, an area plagued by crime, political violence and lawlessness. Most of the kidnappings have been carried out by gunmen seeking favors from the government or trying to settle scores with rivals. Hey, we kidnapped this guy. Can we have jobs as cops? Sure. Why not. In most cases, victims have been released unharmed within hours. An exception was the abduction of two Fox News employees last summer who were held for two weeks, prompting many foreign journalists to shy from entering Gaza. Oh, c'mon guys. It puts you in the front of the Express line to convert to Islam. |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #5 tu3031, "Yeah, leave that cheap reward stuff to us, the professionals." damn good material tu! LOL |
| Posted by: RD 2007-03-13 16:39 |
| #4 Since Barbara Plett's tearful report on Arafat's airlift for medical treatment in Paris I have very little sympathy - hopefully seniors at the Beeb will get the message about the Paleos. |
| Posted by: Howard UK 2007-03-13 14:30 |
| #3 From our friends at the PCHR... Alan JohnsonÂ…We are SorryÂ…They are not Palestinians Ummmmm...sorry. I'll bet they are. PCHR strongly condemns the kidnapping of Alan Johnson, BBC correspondent in Gaza City, yesterday, and considers this crime a flagrant violation of the freedom of expression. In addition, the Centre views this crime as a return to the security chaos in the OPT. The Centre renews the call to the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to seriously investigate this crime and other kidnappings, and to bring the perpetrators to justice. PCHRÂ’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 16:45 on Monday, 12 March 2007, gunmen traveling in a white vehicle intercepted Alan Johnson (43), a British BBC correspondent, as he was traveling in his private vehicle near the offices of the World Council of Churches in Gaza City. They took him to an unknown location. It is noted that Johnson has been living in Gaza City for three years, and is respected for his professionalism and objectivity. JohnsonÂ’s abduction is not only a violation of the right to freedom of expression; it is also an illegal assault on his person, and an insult to the Palestinian people and its struggle. If all Palestinian political parties and factions have condemned this crime, then who is the perpetrator? Martians? Hillbillies? Jooooooooos? It is noted that the last kidnapping against an international journalist in the Gaza Strip was on 1 January 2007 and targeted the Peruvian journalist Jimmy Rozeiri (50). He was released on 7 January 2007. In addition, PCHRÂ’s documentation indicates that Palestinian groups have perpetrated 27 kidnappings targeting 55 internationals, including journalists and relief workers in the OPT. The PNA has failed to pursue the kidnappers in most cases, which constituted encouragement for more kidnappings. Can't kill the Golden Goose. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2007-03-13 12:51 |
| #2 and yet since the Gaza giveback, anti Israel sentiment in Europe and among the left in the US has, if anything, gotten more fervent |
| Posted by: mhw 2007-03-13 12:40 |
| #1 Israel gave gaza back to the Paleos so that the world could see how these guys couldnt organise a piss up in a brewery!!!! They live on hate and victimhood!!! |
| Posted by: Ebbolump Glomotle9608 2007-03-13 12:11 |