3 abducted Britons freed by Palestinian gunmen in Gaza Strip

This stupid child & her ignorant parents were released from their TERRORIST abductors by the kind intervention of others.The British government must do everything in their power to prevent this brat from stepping foot back in this part of the world again. These so-called disillusioned 'do-gooders' should do their `doogooding' in their own back yard & keep well away from our part of the world where they do more damage than anything else!

Vincent Tom Hurndall was murdered (An Isreali courts opinion) whilst protecting 8 year old palestinians walking home from school. Very dangerous are 8 year old children carrying school books I think you will agree. It still has not been proven that the alleged kidnappers are Palestinian. It could easily be as Mossad team masquerading as Palestinians to ensure the Christian world were unaware that the IDF were preventing Christians from entering the birthplace of Jesus. And do not tell me this does not happen, It happened to me two years ago. This sums up the Isreali attitude to everything which is not Jewish.

If these anti semitic Jew hating British "human rights workers" are anything like the Arabs they are trying to "help", I would seriously doubt any claims of "torture" that they complain about. And give me a break, Ms. Burton and her parents (!) were KIDNAPPED at gunpoint and held hostage by the very people they were there to "help". How can anyone not condemn this as anything but barbaric? And how can you compare KIDNAPPINGS of entire families at gunpoint to the arrest of foreign agents (i.e. British "volunteers") trying to undermine the security of the country that permitted them entry? There is no comparison. In any case, these foreign "volunteers" are here in my country of birth to cause me harm and they should be deported. And please dont forget that the British "volunteers" YOU say were killed by the IDF were in a war zone cavorting with and trying to protect terrorists. I wouldnt be surprised if the fatal bullets were fired by Kalashnikovs. Unlike the Arab gunmen, the IDF doesnt target civilains. Are you sure these "volunteers" were unarmed?

How stupid is Katie Burton ? does'nt she get it that these terrorists kidnappd her, they did not invite her for tea. What does she mean they treated her well?? we see a picture of one of them giving her demands and threatening her. If Israelis would kidnap a Briton, the British would go to war with Israel but Palestinians can get away with anything. This world is crazy.

Hello and Happy New Year. Unfortunately, statehood is not a gift, else there would be none. There is not a state (country) on the planet that was not born in blood. My fervent wish for this new year is that both sides in the conflict will find a way to end the bloodshed and find a way to reconcile themselves to peaceful coexistence.

Hi Kim, It's still 2005 here as I write this. But Happy New Year anyway. "Rachel Corrie was trying to prevent the IDF from removing explosives planted by her terrorist organization." I believe that I read every official explanation given by the IDF and the PM's office at the time that Rachel Corrie was killed. Not once was this allegation made. She was trying to prevent the bulldozing of a Palestinian eye doctor's home and office at the time. This is the statement from ISM and it was confirmed by statements from the IDF and the PM's office. The IDF said that the building was too close to the Egyptian border for their comfort. Tom Hurndall was murdered. This has been admitted to by the soldier, his squad-mates, the IDF and the Israeli government. The soldier is in prison. Compensation has been paid to his family by the Israeli Government. It does not serve th cause of peace to spread disinformation or to slander the dead. My wish for the Israelis and the Palestinians for the new year is that each side will elect leaderships that are strong enough and wise enough to opt for a peaceful resolution with their enemy. I am confident that the Israelis are strong enough to enforce any agreement they make on their own side. I pray that they are resolute enough to do so. I also pray that the Palestinians elect a government for the PA that will have the support of their people in enforcing any agreement they make with Israel. I want to see them create a government that can bring peace and security to their own people. Qurei and Abbas have let them down. Mark

Actually, not "everybody" is an Israeli soldier. The standard is women serve for two years and don't do reserve duty - so once they are not in uniform they are civilians, men do three years and reserve duty until 45. In reality, a large number of women don't do duty, the ultra-religious don't and a large and increasing number of men don't do reserve duty. Also soldiers are virtually always clearly marked out because they wear uniforms and so when the Palestinian suicide bomber climbs on the bus or into a restaurant or shopping mall - having gone round any number of settlements or military post - and looks around he is fully aware of the fact he is killing civilians. More so because usually the target is scouted beforehand. The number of Undercover soldiers killed by Palestinians is negliable and certainly less than the number killed by the IDF in friendly fire incidents - including the commander of the West Bank Mistaravim unit being killed by IDF bulldozer in Tulkarm during Defensive Shield. Unfortunately, no one has seen fit to make a play about him like the AMERICAN - not british - Rachel Corrie, nor -strangely - has there been any outcry on what MUST have been murder, given the IDF NEVER makes mistakes.... Fact of the matter is that 70% of the Israeli causualties are not serving members of the IDF nor settlers and are killed well with 1967 borders far from any combat zone, killed by people who are well-aware of the fact they are killing civilians. As you have stated were they attacking the nearest Israelis they would be killing 100% settlers and soldiers. From what I hear - from both pro-Palestinians foreigners and right-wing Israelis, but not Palestinians - most Palestinians actively support "armed struggle" and so under your rules would be legitimate targets and as "soldiers" not wearing uniforms are classed as sabeteours or spies and so can be executed.

First off in a place as tight-knit as Gaza it is unlikely that the abductors were unware of who the Burtons were. My guess is like many of the "resistance" activity this was common run of the garden criminality masquerading as "armed struggle". Secondly, there is alot of innuendo about how the IDF are somehow more likely to kill foreigners than Palestinians or that foreigners are targeted. There have been exactly ten foreigners killed by Israelis since the beginning of the second Intifada and 47 killed by Palestinians, as usual the majority killed inside the Green line far, far from any combat zone, whilst every single foreign causality of Israel has been in the territories. So to say that the IDF target innocent foreigners for some nefarious reasons or that foreigners are in more danger from Israelis than Palestinian violence is just false. The simple fact is that most foreigners in the territories that have been killed are members of politically motivated groups or the Press and so a bigger fuss is made of them than tourists and foreign workers who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. By the way the stats are off Betselem - http://www.btselem.org/English/Statistics/Casualties.asp, feel free to check them. Unlike some others on this forum, I don't feel the need to simply invent figures or come up with generalised anti-Israeli/anti-Palestinian (delete as appropriate) diatribes running contrary to facts. Thirdly, there is the insinuation that Britons in particular are in danger from the Israelis. Again the simple fact of life is that the suicide bomber from Britain killed more Israelis in one go than the IDF has killed britons in five and half years of a war declared and so far lost by the Palestinians. Unlike the three britons killed by the IDF - Tom Hurndall, who was in a combat zone, Jabaliya and whose killer in currently in prison, or the UN project manager who was killed in the midst of a gun battle in Jenin or the reporter who decided to run up to a tank in the middle of a battle - the Israelis killed at Mike's bar were about as far away as you can get from the territories without leaving Israel and undenably civilians. I would also point out that despite what appeared to be open and shut evidence against his sister, she was found not guilty - and she was not simply assumed to be guilty like IDF soldiers are. Finally, I do not believe that the kidnappers represent the average Palestinian or his/her values. Most Palestinians are very kind and accomodating to strangers and on a personal level found them to be some of the nicer people in the Middle East - of course they do not know that I am either Jewish nor Israeli - but assume I am either turkish - due to my accent when speaking arabic - or english Christian - for same reason.... and even when they have met Jews that they know to be jews, the usual reaction is curiosity - and to know their views on the conflict.

..and the World wants to give them a State..?

Yes - it's a good thing when kidnap victims are treated 'well.' The point is, however, that Kate Burton and her parents were kidnapped. They were victims. They were not free. This is a crime. However, it doesn't matter what the terror groups do, Kate and her parents and people like them will always see these terrorists as victims 'fighting' for a good cause.

Foreign volunteers in the International Solidarity Movement said in May of 2003 that they had tea with two Britons later involved in a Tel Aviv suicide bombing, but said they had no idea at the time of the assailants' intentions. One of the Britons, Asif Hanif, 21, blew himself up in a Tel Aviv bar in April, killing a waitress and two musicians. The second man, Omar Khan Sharif, 27, fled when his bomb failed to detonate and remains at large. Both were British citizensThe ISM openly declares on it's web site that it recognizes the Palestian armed struggle.

Hello Joel A thought just came to me this minute and it is this. I think after the terrorists attacks day before yesterday when one of our brave officer was blown off plus the rest which were PALS.It made me think that perhaps they had this idea as a sort of a "COVER UP".I may be mistaken,one thinks of various conspiracy theories and it could be that.Are they that advanced? Don't think so.Desperate? well I wouldn't be surprised.Afer all they tried everything and it is not getting them anywhere.Especially with the wall restricting them to do their dirty deeds somewhat may have an effect.LET OUR GOVERNMENT FINISH BUILDING THE WALL,HIGHER AND HIGHER. A Happy New Year S

Jane Jane, how naive! What is this :we Must:? You judge tribal people by Western modes. You must understand that noone can change the inherent medaeval laws of these feudal societies governed by an misinterpreted little book. Best regards sweis

Her organization supports the terrorists' human rights. They issue press releases when, for instance, a Hamas thug is killed in the confrontations among gangs.

They were members of Hamas branch IDF. Rachel Corrie was trying to prevent the IDF from removing explosives planted by her terrorist organization.

"Does any one think that distributing food hugging the Pals children is so hard that needs "experts" and "volunteers" to come from abroad? " - Massoud Those wept with tears of compassion might often be fools, but at least they are far less harmful than those who's hands are dripping with blood. I find it hard to hold in contempt those who wish - no matter how quixotically - to help their fellow man.

"For London, paying out ransom to Palestinian terrorist kidnappers was a hard pill to swallow. This problem was overcome when the Palestinian Authority offered to front for the British and hand over the agreed sum." - Deb As this was a previously unknown group, is it not possible that this was simply a extortion plot devoid of political intent? Had there been a political intent it is likely that the 'payoff' necessary would have been political instead of pecuniary.

You dear 'MOST UNBIASED R' - WHAT DO THE PALIS SAY ABOUT BLOWING UP ISRAELI CHILDREN AND BUS RIDERS?

Chistopher your remark just warms any British heart for sure - but may be you should enforce your own laws at home as I am certain Hurndal and Corrie got what they were asking for...there is NO JUSTICE TO PROTECT MURDER UNDER ANY PRETENCES even if you are a Brit!

what can I say to you GB! It just touches the heart how these palis became so nice to foreigners...hehehehe...one though cannot escape the idea that ALL THIS WAS STAGED especially if it was shown on the BBC! The BBC is about as impartal as Amira Has been in her journalism!

Tell that to the American officials murdered on their way to peace negotiations and others. You are an American by birth are you not.

Since the start of the second intifada the "Pals" have killed a good number of foreigners.

Those magnificent chappies have no problem blowing you up either. But keep up the holier then thou Iam sure they respect you and all their fellow Englishmen.

Post: "Adam Shapiro : she is luckier" Where it reads " She was a member of Hamas branch IDF. The responsibility for what happened is on her and on her groupies." It should obviously read "She was a member of Hamas branch ISM. The responsibility for what happened is on her and on her groupies."

Sorry Vincent what is your point? A number of British civilians have been murdered in the Occupied teritories. And as far as I am aware all were killed by Isreali soldiers of the occupying forces. A number of Britons have been arrested and subjected to sensory deprivation as well as food and water, amongst them the brother of Tom Hurndall, and you expect me to sit here saying nothing whilst saying Isreal rwespects human rights?

No doubt while you were lodging your objection about the demise of poor Tom Hurndall with the Israeli Embassy through official channels, you also shot off a stern letter of protest to the Palestinian terrorist groups who, according to international law, bear the ultimate responsibility for his death and are therefore guilty of his murder. You see, it's against international law for a group involved in combat to initiate fire from within populated civilian areas and thereby putting them in harm's way. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has expressed this opinion in respect of other conflicts in the past but hasn't quite gotten around to mentioning it where Gaza is concerned (he is after all understandably pre-occupied with other conflicts elsewhere on the globe). If you really want to protect Palestinian children and civil aid workers in regions of conflict, then you should protest loud and strong against the monsters who put them in such a dangerous situation in the first place. Sadly, I have yet to hear a whimper of protest about this from any of the so-called civil rights groups practicing in Gaza but then Kate Burton and her folks would never have been released if that was their real agenda.

Considering the time he spends in Talkback Khalid must be single so...

The Brits are very cheap, I don't think they would put out anything except a stiff upper lip.

Rachel Corrie was anything but a human rights activist. Same for Hurndall. They came here with the intent to compromise my security; helping the Arabs was just a cover. If they wanted to truly help Muslims, there are a hundred other hotspots where Muslims are violated and murdered every day, usually by other Muslims. She risked her life and lost by jumping in front of a bulldozer ready to raze the home of a terrorist. Rachel Corrie was commited to helping killers and murderers commit their acts upon me, my family and fellow Israeli citizens. I wont say that she got what she deserved, but she was no hero. She was nothing but an anti-semitic Jew hating individual.

So you think Arabs respect Britons? Gee thats funny; the Arabs kidnap at gunpoint an aid worker there to "help" them, kidnap her parents as well and hold them hostage for two days. And then where do the Britons go after they are freed? To Israel. If thats respect I'd hate to see what the Arabs do if they hate you. Actually, I already know.

Barghouti and Dahlan? Oh sorry, bridesmen. Maybe they can get Michael Jackson to come from Dubai and sing at the wedding? Can Abbas "moonwalk'?

I'm taking a break from hostilities.(for a few hours anyway) Unreal how little gets agreed upon in these forums. Thats life! All the best for 2006 Ezreal

Fighting a war is more than guns and bombs. We are not doing enough to counter the internal problems the Arabs have that makes radicalism look like their best opition for life. We must do more in that arena. "Above all else we must get the House of Saud to stop funding the spread of Wahabbism across the region. Second we must get the House of Saud to stop funding radicals" I agree with the above 100%. Happy new year Mark!

What is your source ? If the money is so good, we should see this become more and more popular.

"Burton told the BBC after her release that she could not say a bad word about her captors, who always asked whether they needed anything, and added that she hoped to continue her human rights work in the Gaza Strip." Couldn't say a bad word?! How about - its a violation of human rights to kidnap people!!! If this woman represents the aid community, then no wonder the people they are trying to help are so lost. What help is she giving if she just re-enforces the idea that if you can't get what you want, just threaten violence and mayhem - no one will even say a word. nebech

It is no surprise they are free. Palestinians respect Britons. Israeli army murders them.

All day, the foreign office in London insisted there was no contact with the Palestinian kidnappers of Kate Burton, 25, a human rights worker at the Gaza-based al-Mizan organization, and her parents, who were snatched at gunpoint in Rafah Wednesday and their kidnappers were unknown. It was announced that an envoy of the British Muslim Council would travel to the Middle East to seek their release. However, counter-terror sources report that officers of the British secret service MI6, who are stationed in Rafah, were in constant negotiations with the abductors who demanded a hefty sum in ransom. They therefore knew exactly who they were, the Fatah-al Aqsa Brigades? Black Panthers represented by their leader Nidal An-Najar. For London, paying out ransom to Palestinian terrorist kidnappers was a hard pill to swallow. This problem was overcome when the Palestinian Authority offered to front for the British and hand over the agreed sum. This made it possible to wind up the negotiations and obtain the Burtons? freedom.

Hi Kim Well,dear Ha'aretz did put it out thanks for once,and I hope they let you see this one too. I still maintain that it was a leap onto notoriety and to give a semblance of honor to the PALS.Which to my way of thinking is a facile endevour.Bearing this in mind I say this the following. In the words of the "President Abraham Lincoln" You can fool the people some of the time,and some of the people some of the time.BUT YOU CANNOT FOOL ALL THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME! S p/s Please Ha'aretz let Kim see this,also Mark Lincoln who may correct me if I misquoted Abe Lincoln

what was this young girl doing there that the local Pals can not do? that is a great chance for improving unemployment right there !!! Does any one think that distributing food hugging the Pals children is so hard that needs "experts" and "volunteers" to come from abroad? does that mean that situation is so bad that even if food is delivered to Pals, they are not capable of simply dividing it up among themselves? and they want a country? can they run it?

This one sounds good. 19:46 Report: U.S. preparing for potential attack on Iranian nuclear sites (Haaretz)

I have to agree with both S and B about the dubious nature of the so-called "kidnappings." It seems similar to the type of kidnappings that transpire around surprise birthday parties... Really nothing to get so worked up over.

Firtly I is not called Abdul I is called Christopher Secondly Rachel Corrie and Tom Hurndall were ensuring that I srael upheld the international obligations that she is so interested in others doing on her borders eg Lebanon and Syria. The inquest in my country of Tom Hurndall found that he had been illegally murdered whilst protecting Palestinian children the Israeli soldier was firing at. Very dangerous 8 year old palestinians returning home from school Scott Krauss you may condone murder but I do not. Tom Hurndall and Rachel Corrie were British Citizens in the Occupied terrorteries legally and suggestion otherwise is typical of the ignorance of some of the people posting on this forum. PS I did object to the Israeli Embassy through official channels at the time.

You are most welcome, S. I think they shouldn't care about the name anyone wants to post under. Do they believe "Kim" is my true name? Hehehe. You should be proud. They resort to name-calling when you have hit the nail on the head. Regards Kim

Dear Claude Don't be confused,it was all a sham and not a genuine kidnapping.It was well arranged in advance plus "Les Parent".For a propaganda purposes vraiment!Il faut bien de le croire! S

I agree that this might be an arranged kidnapping. Or at the very least, the target was well known to the kidnappers. In the photo heading the article, Kate Burton looks a bit pensive to me. As if she is uncertain about events. Nor can I tell if she is actually handcuffed, or just at ease. For now, I have insufficient data to draw any useful conclusions.

Hi b Just go down and read precisely my suspicions from the very start. Some people have the nerve to think that we here are morrons and don't know a spurious activity when we see one! They had better wake up! S

" On the photo with the terrorist she looks depressed and scared, whereas on the other, when she arrives in Israel, she is happily smiling and relieved." - Kim Up The Wall "He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears." - Proverbs 26:17 She should have stayed home.

As palestinian I feel shame for that, but why should that make you happy, It is clear that most of the rightists are happy for any disaster that hits pals, but Britons are involved too, or are they bad Britons in your eyes. Anyway kidnapping is much less evil than killing by buldozers. I am not trying to justify the doing of a small stupid group, but it is certainly not that bad as the official IDF doin with other volunteers. One should condemn evil who ever is comitting it, but rightist do not care about others. And stop your nonsense about no pal.group critisizing islamic violence. Palestinians under occupation can not do anything to condemn or stop violence, it would be odd

Hi Kim This is the second time you have suported me thanks.You did also on another forum.(One to R.Harris)if you remember? I sent you a reply in thanks,but dear Ha'aretz did not put it out. It doesn't bother me to any excess but since I am not the only one who uses just an initial I don't get it.Perhaps it is because I am rather more direct in what I say and they don't like it.Well,tough! Regards S p/s Now please Ha'aretz let Kim see this post

Is this the "famous" Adam Shapiro from Brooklyn who almost risked his life to save the life of Yasser Arafat? I can't believe you are still around. How do you explain these kidnappings and I'm curious to know if you think that maybe these masked gunmen kidnappers are actually IDF undercover units designed to make the Arabs look bad.

... than many other people, Israeli, "Pal" and foreigners who have been killed or murdered by the "Pal" terrorist gangs.

Can I put in some money to have livingston and galaway taken? On the other hand livingston has wasted enough of my money already!

I think Suha would like that. I'm sure some of the booty she stole from the Pals is running low. You know, it's very expensive in Paris especially when shopping in those designer shops and eating fancy french food. She could hyphenize her name "Suha Arafat-Mazen-Abbas." Not so sure that Abbas would like living in Tunis (I think Suha split gay Paree, some tax evasion thing) but maybe Abu could help her out of that too. It may be springtime in Paris afterall!

Oh yes Judith How very convenient don't you think? I have informed a few on this forum about this fact.A good propanganda ploy,and so very staged.They may take us for fools,but we most of us are of sound mind and body and can see through this charade. They do descend to the gutter level and I hope they enjoy the the smell eh? bye S

Rachel Corrie committed suicide so the "Pals" had food for propaganda. If, according to her, the Israelis are so bad, why did she approach the bulldozer? It was an accident the girl brought on herself. She was trying to prevent the IDF from removing explosives the "PaLs" had planted and she approached the bulldozer because she knew that the Israelis wouldn't kill her because they don't target civilians. She was a member of Hamas branch IDF. The responsibility for what happened is on her and on her groupies.

Corrie was a traitor to her own Country, aided terrorists and was too foolish to move out of the way of a bulldozer. Burton was abducted by pal gunman. How do you equate the two?

If, as stated in your article, Kate Burton was treated so well by her palestinian kidnappers, why didn't she just stay with them instead of being released! Again, Israel are in the wrong?

you must understand the Palestinian. He is a good person who means no harm to Westerners or Christians. He is not Al Qaeda or any of the wildly virulent ones of Iraq. He is a nationalist whose fight is with the zionist aggressors. Unfortunately they do take hostages on occasion but almost always they are release quickly and unharmed. zionists take prisoners as bargaining ploys and for information, with shin bet using them as spy agents in some cases. It is always a violation of international law to do this to an occupied civilian people. But since you hate Muslims you cannot see this. Allah Hafiz

I think that you (we) should wait to hear what Kate and her parents have to say about their experience, rather than rely on your interpretation of some photographs. If you listen to them you may gain some insight. If you will for once listen rather than spout off.

Hi V No you are wrong.She is wallowing in this her notoriety and enjoying every minute of it. It was all staged way in advance. S

Hello Jerry Don't worry about her parents,they were not only aware about her shenanigans,additionally joined her in the adventure. A PLOY PURE AND SIMPLE! S

Hi SJ You can be assured this was a well prepared and advanced for pure propaganda.To supposedly show the world how moderate the PALS really are. A joke beyond belief.We do know their methods and are not going to swallow this garbage proliferated to gain sympathy.Pathetic is the word I apply to this whole charade. S

Anyone that risks there life to help others will always have my full respect, Its a sad state of affairs when many people can only think of negative things to say about someone that is clearly devoting there lives to good.

say hi to your palestinian wife.

Ezreal We have known where DJV comes from and briefly. Don't bet on him changing.He will continue with his false propaganda and never vary from it.He belongs to the PALs totally and is one of them. I too do not bother much to respond to his posts.Except today when he was encouraging that other James(of the spurious name),and knowing full well that D is not a David,but "daoud". Enough with name gymnastics S

" Kate Burton must have had a lovely time. Did she arrange being kidnapped?" One need not be a member of an intilligent community to understand that this is a "staged" kidnapping. Some points to ponder: 1. Why did the kidnappers have to wait for the parents? 2. Why did the PALS kidnapped a sympathizer of their cause? then demand from Israel an end to the "buffer zone". 3. The next person to be kidnapped mught be Abu Mazen and pemand from Israel a ligitimate Palestinian State as abargain for is release. What do other posters think about this?

Mr.Wirthmuller Mine is not a false name or an imaginative one. It is jusy the initial of my very good name rest assured. And I do not hide behind either. Where I live is no concern of yours.I live whereever I chose and it is none of your business. You may have been born a Jew,but you neither act like one,nor give any credence to indulge in your diatribe. There isn't any bigotry or racism on the part of the respondents here.They are merely pointing out the other side of the story. If you feel so strongly I suggest you join those multitude of ISM's like James(who is not a genuine name,plus Vickery whose real name is not David,but Daoud). You must awaken to reality because you seem to live in obscurity and delusion my friend. You do sound very angry,but for the wrong assumptions and not the actual facts on the ground,sorry. On the subject of Kate Brown and family: Just look at her smiling photograph on her departure,not because she was relieved,but because she thought she achieved something. Silly and a misguided woman!What a wonderful opportunity for her to begin a propaganda from which she'd be rewarded financially and no doubt renown! A sinister way to the likes of her and others who jump on the same band wagon. She is not the first and will not be the last. A pure waste of everyone's time and energy. S

"I do believe we are justified in fighting the War on Radical Islam." - Jane "War"? There lies the first problem. Radical Islam is a movement, it is not a nation, not an army, not something you can "war" against. Ever since WW II Americans have been in love with war; we have had wars on poverty, wars on cancer, wars on drugs, and so on, an all failures. Why? In part, I feel, because the concept of waging war on those things warped the response to render it impotent. Radical Islam cannot be fought, indeed, fighting it plays right into it's hands. Have you ever read the Koran? Have you a clue that Islam is a religion born in violent repression? That waging "war" against them puts the radical Islamists in the position of appearing to be Muhammad instead of men betraying many essential beliefs of Islam? Waging war on Islam is incredible wrong think. It is totally contra-productive. Above all else we must get the House of Saud to stop funding the spread of Wahabbism across the region. Second we must get the House of Saud to stop funding radicals. Then we must stop being an antagonists of Islam and start to emphasized with acts, not propaganda, stability in the middle east and press not for 'regime change' in the sense of overthrow, but rather actual change in actions of regimes towards their political opponents and towards the creation of economic opportunity. If you wish to promote democracy, promote the growth of middle classes. If you wish to reduce the appeal of radical Islamists, then stop proving them right. Radical Islam no more represents the aspirations and desires - or religion - of the majority of Arabs any more than Dimwit Tim McVeigh represented the aspirations, desires and religion of the average member of the GOP ten years ago. That some people here were funding the Militia Movement as the Saudis are funding radical Islam - in both cases for political gain - does not mean that most Americans, or most Arabs, were members of the Militias or Al Queada respectively.

The group who kidnapped them is one of the numerous "Pal" gangs running around Gaza. The Israelis were right to destroy the airport, since it was used to receive weaponry to attack Israel. It is a shame that the "Pals" cannot have a future and a hope. They should protest against their authorities. Why don't they want peace with Israel? If they keep the people on war, the "Pal" living conditions cannot improve. You are right. Israel is also right to target terrorists. The killed terrorists cannot murder anybody else. From the "Pal" point of view, any Israeli of any age, is a legitimate target. When they blow themselves up on school buses or in malls, they don't care if there are babies or not. The fact is that children and babies have been targeted. The terrorist who exploded himself just two days ago was going to a children party to commit the atrocity.

Have you seen the photos? Compare that where she appears along with a masked gunman to that at her arrival in Israel. On the photo with the terrorist she looks depressed and scared, whereas on the other, when she arrives in Israel, she is happily smiling and relieved.

S is not anonymous. His/her name here is "S". The name here or in real life is for us to be identified by others. I don't think anybody cares if you are using your real name or not, but you like to know who is talking to you or who you are talking to.

Vincent Wishful thinking I fear. She wouldn't dare go to any Arab Country to do any assisting.She'd be arrested after due interrogation and jailed without mercy. We know the methods used by the Arab regimes concerning freedom of speach,women's rights etc. Additionally the acceptance of an infidel in their country.But it is all a sham and we'd no need have any feelings towards yesterday's fiasco because,it is pure fiction... S

Mohamed or whoever you are (probably in Montreal a place I avoided while spending my first 50 years in Canada)you shame all Canadians (if you truly are one!) East Jerusalem = Israel Anything with the name "Jerusalem" belongs to us...GET IT!

Any reason why they weren't whisked away through the Rafah Crossing to Egypt? No airplanes required there. Of course it assumes that it's safe to go there in light of yesterday's situation that sent the European monitors running for cover. It seems to me that since we left Gaza and put control of the Rafah crossing in the hands of others, things seem to be a tad more disorganized, dangerous and chaotic. That's Arab hospitality for you. The world is watching and getting wise! Something we've known all along.

Then he can visit with Suha in Paris and they can count their cash together? You know it is just a matter of time before Abbas gets the boot.

Kate will still be doing back breaking work in Gaza but this time her back will not be broken by an IDF murderer.

Kate Burton did not run off to the safety of Israel as your rentamob correspondents have claimed. The Burtons were taken to the British Consulate in East Jerusalem. This consulate has responsibility for UK citizens in the Occupied Territories, including Gaza. To get there, they had to travel through Israel, but that is the nature of the political geography of the area. In any case, she has said that she will return to Gaza.

Claude it is you who is (I won't say stupid) ignorant. You obviously know nothing at all about Palestinians or Arabs or the present situation in Gaza. Your language would be upsetting if there were a grain of truth to it. Kate's parents will eventually be interviewed and I dare say you will find that they are not in the least ashamed of their daughter. And their many friends in the U.K. will get an earfull on their return.

Another politically correct camp follower. What is she doing in Israel? What a hide? What would happen to her if she made pro Israel comments in Gaza?

Reading the BBC article informs me that Kate and her parents were taken to the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, probably on the insistance of the British government. They did not seek shelter from Israelis. Got it?

as all can see david james trickery has no credibility.the picture with the article clearly shows a mossad man in a palestinian mask with the girl. david james trickery the next time you come to us with a story you will be met with hoots of derision.

Its really quite simple Trotsky. There are no Hotels in Gaza, only bordellos. Also the parents had seen enough of slum life and wanted to see the eternal undivided capital of yisroel. After all would you rather wear silk or sackloth?

People never learn. Why don't people put their energies into volunteering and helping people who might learn and appreciate what is being done for them?

The British civilians who were abducted by persons unknown (the group has never been previously recognised)had to travel to Israel because the Israelis destroyed the airport before evacuating Gaza, and has since refused permission for a port. Consequently Gaza is nothing but a large Bantu filled with Palestinians with no hope no future and a sitting target for Isreali F16's and Apache helicopters. Not to sure if a 2 week old baby is a terrorist or not, but as I understand it everyone who has an Israeli passport and over a certain age is a serving member of the IDF and as a consequence under the rules of war are legitimate targets.

There is no sort of transistivity that being pro-Palestinian means you have to be anti-Israeli, let alone anti-semitic. The simple fact of the matter is that if you studied anything related to the middle east in the UK, you are going to come out pro-Palestinian - at best - and that in terms of jobs, the opportunities to work for a pro-Palestinian NGO vastly outweighs the number of jobs in another field and despite what the foreign press seems to want to portray, being a foreign aid worker in the territories is relatively safe - 10 dead in five and half years of living in a war zone - certainly safer than being a foreigner in Israel - around 40 killed in suicide bombings... Secondly, your press release seems to me to be eminent common sense and no way "Pro-Terror". It is a shame that cracking down on militant groups and unifying security forces somehow got tied up with Israeli demands. It surely makes sense for Palestinians, even if Israel did not exist.

You'd think this woman just spent a weekend at the Beverly Hills Hilton, rather than three days being held by masked gunmen. There's something wrong with this girl! What, they were "sweetie pie" kidnappers? I guess she's just part of the Palo-propoganda machine....brainwashed down to her last brain cell. She should have gone to Egypt rather than Israel to unwind after her "pleasant kidnapping". Unbelieveable!

Is there some type of ignorant, naive club on British college campuses that send these yahoos to Gaza? The stupidity that motivates these idealistic children to run to Gaza to save the world from the evil Israelis differs little from the arrogance that led this race to colonize half the world. All they need is the presumption that their assumptions are correct, i.e. that their idea of the world is the correct one. A century ago this race colonized half the world in an effort to "civilize" them, but in actuality it was simply a massive project of primitive capitalist accumulation. In the case of the latest boob to be threatened in Gaza the presumption is more laughable. I am the first to say that the majority of Gazans want peace, but ignorant children like this continue to believe that Gaza is not home to groups of butchers and zealots willing to do whatever it takes to control that land, despite every privledged white girl's attempt to hug every Gazan child.

Michael, Don't worry about learning Hebrew. If I can learn, so can you. Come home.

To give you an idea how one sided the Guardian newspaper is, read the quote below that makes no mention that the kidnappers were Palestinian. ?The British family held hostage for three days after being kidnapped in Gaza were freed last night after 18 hours of secret negotiations. Following their release, shortly after 8pm, a previously unknown faction calling itself Brigades of the Mujahideen - Jerusalem, said they were responsible for the seizure of Kate Burton, 24, her father Hugh, 73, and mother Helen, 55.? Yet according to in today?s Guardian it is clear that Israel is the root cause of all problems in the region. (Comment by Ghanda Karmi). ?With no Palestinian state in sight, aid becomes an adjunct to occupation Israeli policy is the root cause of need in the occupied territories, but donors pay up without challenging it?.

alex thats a good Idea--lets get a colection going and buy a won way ticket to gaza for Ken livingston and George galoway. Mind you i think id any group abducted them they would let them go early -after all who would want galaway and Living stone in the same room for 3 hours let alone 3 days

you have a point I visit Israel twice a year as my brother and family are in Ramat-Aviv. However as you can see i can hardly wright in english so i dont think i would be Very good learning Hebrew. --thats the excuse anyway.may be i will join the BBC and start a revolution from the inside

This woman eats with terrorists, lives with terrorists and support terrorists and the worst of all: She brought her parents to live among terrorists and in a war zone. I can not believe exist such stupid people !! She got lucky this time, but the next one things could be very different... I have no sympathy for her and I feel sorry for her parents who went throught all this terribel situation because of the stupidity of their daughter... Claude

If it is so nice being abducted by Palestinians, let's all get abducted. It seems to have been a treat for the Burtons. Kate Burton must have had a lovely time. Did she arrange being kidnapped?

..she thanks the PA and the British Consulate. What about thanking Israel for letting you cross the border and saving your British butts! Your parents must be really proud of you.

Interesting how palestinians show their gratitude to people who try to help them. If palestinian gratitude is something like this, I wonder why someone even bothers to help them. If you ask me, Burton is an idiot if she cannot find any criticism towards kidnappers. She effectively encourages such actions with her comments. How oing can people really lie to themselves...

OK THE BRAVE KIDNAPPERS HAVE RELEASED THESE PRO ARAB PEOPLE FROM BRITAIN - NOW WAIT FOR THE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME" TO CREEP INTO THEIR VERSION OF WHAT HAPPENED WHILE SAFELY IN ISRAEL THANK G-D.

Amira Hass and Haaretz would like you to believe that Kate Burton was a "British Aid Worker" when in fact she was a terrorist collaborator and a dumb one at that. I mean how stupid can you be to work as a blond haired blue eyed Brit in Gaza at this time and then invite your parents to visit ? Where did she think she was ? in Orlando ? After her media blitz in the UK (great money from interviews, newspaper articles), its back to work in Gaza and the West Bank. For a different photo of Burton, look at todays FOX News. I could imagine the security interview at Ben Gurion Airport on her way back to London. ?Did anyone give you anything ? ?? ?Yes, my Palestinian friends who abducted me gave me a wonderful souvenir. It?s a photo of them holding a Kalashnikov to my head. I will show it to all my friends back in England to prove how nice they really were to me. I was kidnapped because of the Israeli occupation. Now that I?m safe, I hope Ken Livingston will see that there?s nothing to worry about and will make the trip himself?.

How ironic that the anonymous 'S' who claims to be from London (how imaginative - is that the only place you've heard of in England?) attacks people for alledgedly using false names when he/she will not even provide their own. Mohammed Khan - sorry, James Wirthmuller (oops. NOT.)

makes u think, obviously not. so try this: you have NO RIGHTS to be where you are .... english is a foreign language, europeans are from europe..... whatever you do to compensate the true owners of the land ie the indians can never be enough because you are using resources from their land to compensate them...you are thieves, oppressors, and have herded many of the natives into apartheid reservations....and, throughout the "usa" the native indians suffer far higher rates of infant mortality, suicide and are far far poorer than the national average. The period in history when your countrymen committed the genocide is not a defense ie you cannot say "well it happened 200 years ago" because this theft and continued appropriation of their land continues to this very day. They are not all dead so time is not a defense...give them back their land and ask their forgiveness and beg them to allow you, a child of invaders, to stay failing which you must return to europe. By continuing to remain on the land you renamed ?usa? you are an accomplice to genocide, a colonialist settler thief of the land that belongs to the native Indians. Contrast this with Israel, populated by: jews who are semites (M.E), judaism which is M.E, Hebrew which is M.E language, israel which is M.E name, jewish calendar which is M.Eastern. Israel/Pal problem is just another land conflict between arabs and jews who both have legitimate claims You have no legitimate claims to "usa" it is not for you to give them rights on their land, it is theirs...what is it you don?t understand ? you murdered most of them and then swamped their land with settlers...they have no power, you make the laws with your occupation force judges, lawyers and security forces....your hypocrisy and selective justice is sickening.

there is no Leon Rosgarten....you are a fraud, nobody of that name exists in london

Some people never learn.... Bigotry is a prejudice based on ignorance. Given my Mother is a Jew who escaped the SS in Austria in 1942, and given that I was DIRECTLY addressing Jews who have posted racist and rabid comments on this site - and NOT all Jews everywhere - then the term "bigot" simply cannot apply in this instance!! Perhaps you do not understand that you can speak to a section of a community, or a specific group, without generalising about a whole race or religion? Yet another person who uses words they do not understand: please invest in a dictionary. And my point, as you attempt to discuss? If you bothered to read my posts properly you would have seen my original point was to condemn claims that ALL Palestinians, and ALL their supporters, are terrorists. So what the hell are you going on about? You have invented a point unrelated to mine in order to make false claims. And my last point in my last point attempted to demonstrate the double standards of many people posting here. A five year old can see that.

The Israel bashing has already started in the Uk over this kidnaping. The British Guardiannewspaper has a peace about it that blames The ocupation. last time i looked we had left Gaza

some of us are

Mrs Kate i feel very shame and sorry for the darkness image we have offered thanks god you and ur family got out of that safe .... dear i have not known anything about you beofr this kiddnapping but later after that happened i was so intersting to know whose this Kate iam so proud and admired by you ..would you marry me iam really serious iam 26 live in gaza there is my email if you like to send me back anything take care and god with you inshallah always

They were well treated and rthey are happy, exactly as I had predicted! But I wonder why, after being dropped off in front of a good hotel in Gaza, the family were in such a hurry to travel to territory controlled by the zionist entity (Jerusalem), exposing themselves to new dangers from the forces of this ruthless, lawless entity.

i guess it was pals after all who kidnapped them as they were so well treated.....how do you live with yourself ?

anything else to add about the bad jews ? me thinks you are the bigot. so what's yr point, that the hostages sought refuge in israel (the baddies), that the pals wanted to save them cos it was very bad publicity for them (so true....they intimidate reporters who dare say anything unpleasant about them),... that the pals will always blame the jews and never take responsibility for their actions, that the arabs deny the jews all rights which is the fundamental reason for the conflict, that arab muslims persecute non arabs and arab christians throughout the arab world......

Does anyone else not find these so called "kidnappings" all very suspcicious. They always involve these ridiculous middle class peace activists or so -called journalists, no doubt from kent or some other such area.. They invariably last only a few days with no harm done, and they always seem accompanied by a statement from the security of the PA stating how no stone will be unturned , that they are in total control of the situation and when invariably the "Hostages" are released or some staged "rescue" has taken place the worlds media is subjected to the PA telling them how in control of the situation and effecient they are and the "hostages" in turn get the well needed publicity for their own misguided "human rights" organisations or a kick start to their journalistic careers. In short everyone is a winner

Dear anonymous American, You must have a superhuman intellect to be able to derive from my two short paragraphs my personality and intelligence. [Amusing to be accused of intellectual and expressive shortcomings by an American.] However, I am angry indeed: angry at the rancid and rabid comments made by Jews on this site, denouncing all Palestinians and their supporters as terrorists. Being born of a Jew myself (one who was lucky enough to escape the SS one night in 1942), I have a right to comment on nasty bigotry and racism, never mind how it tries to disguise itself. And perhaps you are the one with limited intelligence? Not a word of Vickery's posts comes under the classifiaction "racism" or "bigotry". Maybe you should not use English words you clearly do not understand. Stick to short, meaningless Americanisms and you'll be fine. Or learn a native American language. Sincerely, James Wirthmuller, Esq. BA (Hons) PS If the Palestinians are to be judged by the minority of murderers amongst their number, then so should the Jews of Israel. Isn't that fair? Let's discuss everything from Kahane and Goldstein, to Qibya, Sabra and Shatila, Deir Yassin, Jenin, on to schoolgirls full of lead, old women buried in demolished houses, targeted assassinations that kill more innocent bystanders than alleged terrorists et cetera ad infinitum. Let us have a bit of equality.

Kate Burton, 24, told the BBC they were treated well by their kidnappers during the two-and-a-half days they were held, but that her parents were "tired". Read the rest here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4570590.stm

"There has to be an end to these kidnappings, they do NOT serve the cause of the Palestinians." Nothing the palestinians do serve the Palestinian cause. Suicide terror Qassams Drive by shooting Corruption

"guess everybody has badness in their society" Looking from here I wonder if Palestinians have any goodness

Thankyou for seeing fit to publish posting #114. Perhaps you would care to explain why the earlier one was censored. Surely NOT just because it passed comment on the ignorant rantings of 2 of your Anti Semitic/Zionist pets. If so @ least have the BALLS to admit it & I'll refrain from commenting against the likes of fraNazi, daud trickery, james, just passing (keep moving) & ALL the other FAILURES whom you protect so well. But at least have the guts to publish this & openly admit your policy.

as it is "Bronounced" by our cuzzins in Gaza & the West Bank. Michael, my friend. You have a choice. Leave briton to the brits & come HOME to ISRAEL. But I must warn you.......WE also pay for our TV licences. Un4-2N8ly.......we also get a load of CRAPPY films & other programmes bought from the brits. But just living here makes it "sufferable"

Len: We have some very well run falafel stands here and Yoram maybe Abu Mazen doesn't want to be "released." So once the Burtons have refreshed themselves in the comfort and safety of one of our 5 star hotels and had a good Israeli breakfast they can go back to visiting the sites in Rafah. What exciting stories they'll have to tell their friends and neighbours!

James Vickery cannot be neutral. He is an Arab who changed his real name (Doud and I dont' remember the second one) to a very British sounding name. Of course, there are many enlightened arabs who can be objective, but this one is not one of them.

How is that the fault of the IDF? Seems to me that your situation (kidnappings, terror groups running wild in the streets, Rafah Crossing fiasco, 14 year olds being killed in terror group crossfire) are due to the weak leadership currently in place in the territories. You see now YOU have to deal with them, YOU have to be in control, YOU have to uphold the law. The world's getting wise to you. Wake up!

Conspiracy lovers, you missed the your attempts to blame the kidnapping on Israel is ridiculous. You probably have not read the whole article, further down in it the group?s spokesperson to do more kidnappings. `` The group issued a statement saying it released the hostages as a "goodwill gesture" after receiving assurances that Britain and the European Union would seek an end to the Israeli buffer zone. "In case this doesn't happen, the next time we will act differently and the international observers for the next Palestinian elections will be our target," said the statement.``

Dear John, Now why do you think that the British Consulate sought sanctuary for them in Israel? She's going back to work next week..good says I. She may not be so lucky with her "friends" next time.

I wonder if Ms. Burton and her parents will make any statements about the generosity of Israel giving them sanctuary, most likely, on bequest from the British Consulate. Somehow, I doubt it. She's going back next week.....good.

always remember mate, that after bringing her parents for show and tell, she was taken to Israel after the kidnapping-Isreal that is civilised, normal, human rights and democracy. Not a hospital in Gaza or another safe place there, because u people cannot even run a felafel store.

Mel - you tell her. Kate is a misguided soul. She needs to ride her last wave in and take on some real humanitarian cause...

There's an important difference between being "excited" and vigorously shaming the evil that was committed. Because Palestinians have never condemned the evil of Palestinian suicide bombers targeting Israeli children, (not in their mosques or state-run media or their leadership), because they have never as a society demonstrated against the murder of Israeli civilians or their terrorist groups that commit these suicide bombings, this heinous evil of targeting children has continued to be standard practice for Palestinian terrorist groups. These kidnappers should be shamed and repudiated by all -- the online community and the Palestinian community -- esp in the media and mosques. Otherwise, as long as its given the same tolerance as murder of Israeli civilians, it won't be long until Palestinians see dead bodies as acceptable outcomes to these types of brutal kidnappings. These kidnappers must be shamed, ruthlessly, by all decent people, everywhere. Esp, Palestinians. Palestinians control the destiny of these people: From the updated article: "In case this doesn't happen, the next time we will act differently and the international observers for the next Palestinian elections will be our target," said the statement." Because you seem to be a person of peace, my hope is that you will receive a peaceful state that you'll someday be very proud to represent.

Just heard on BBC World that Kate Burton and his released parents were on their way to Israel - "probably Tel Aviv or Jerusalem". Isn't it strange that whenever anyone flees Gaza they find sanctuary with the Israelis. Makes a lie of all of the libellous accusations against the Jewish state broadcast by the usual suspects around here.

They shoud fear if the Mosad had them? Are you high? Did the IDF ever ever ever behead anyone? James you sound like an angry, frustrated little boy with limited expressive skills, never mind the limited intellect. The racism and bigotry of Vickery though, how shameful.

Well?

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR ALL

And I don't listen to talk radio except Howard Stern and I don't think Bush is a liberal sell-out, but I do believe we are justified in fighting the War on Radical Islam. Take it or leave it. That's my conclusion and when the terrorists are defeated we can talk about its importance or irrelevance. Right now we are in the middle of the beginning and although it is as messy as any war and more because we are in so many places, Al Qaeda is out of power as a centralized organization parked in Afganistan, many of them have been killed or captured, women are human again, and we are making progress in Iraq and elsewhere pretty much according to schedule. With all the criticism I saw three major events happen in Iraq right on schedule and lots of Iraqis are very hopeful for the future. We'll see what happens in the next few years and then judge if the war was right or wrong. I have no question in my mind that we are doing what is necessary to obliterate the enemy and to resolve the problem of radical Islamist terrorism.

Well,, there she is back to work again, at least she wasn't killed, unlike what the 'IDF' usually do to human-right activists , I am thinking of Rachel Corrie from Wash. who was smashed by an 'IDF' bulldozer. It also irks me to sense how much aversion is there for Arabs and Muslims in Isreal. It seems that Arbas should start their own fight for 'Anit-Arabisim'!!.. Oh Jesus, I thought they are semitic too ?? hmmm, makes me think!!??

it was a great relief for me when i knew that the kidnapping crisis was over and the hostages were freed unharmed. but what surprized me the most was the great excitement which i felt in most of the responses on this forum; it's like only few of you were sad for the hostages themselves and the rest "the majority" were concerned to point out thier view "that the palestinians are monsters and brutal murderers etc." regardless of the main issue; which is the kidnapping and the hostages' destiny!!! actually some ppl found it a good opportunity to accuse that british activist of being dumb, anti-semitic "like always" and even terrorists' assistant!!!!! My point here is that it's a great shame and most insensitive to express your hatred using other ppl's griefs!! another thing which always puzzles me is why some ppl are sooo annoyed that the palestinians have so many friends and supporters all over the world?!?!?! are you jealous??? that's ridiculous. Anyway here in Ramallah we have hundreds of happy and safe foreigners so... hard-luck!!! About that stupid inhuman kidnapping thing; well ofcourse it's a disappointing and tough event for the victoms "hostages" in the first place, no one would ever say it's not a big deal, it is... in the second place it's a loss for the palestenian ppl and cause; thats not the way we think!!! Anyway for those who want to know... ""we don't have security forces in the palestinian territories"" thanx to the IDF, so any bunch of guys with few guns can do whatever they want!!! I am "like most of the palestinian ppl" not happy with that, but still it's a fact which we have to face, and get rid of, by unarming the political groups and strengthening the palestinian authority's capabilities, that's neither easy nor impossible, but we definitely need time, and help from the whole world especially from Israel, so then we can get our free state and we will live with our beloved neighbor Israel in ever-lasting PEACE...

S, Your demand for apology is more than fair. Indeed, one word, even if rare, cannot be an indicator. At some point Khalid used this word 3-4 times in every post, being an educated man and stuff...

i do not care for pals, thgey can prosper or go to hell, it does not matter a bit for me and most israelis i think.

let them rot in gaza. why should israe risk lives of her soldiers to save some pal lovers. we are not crazy.

You know it was an whimsical reply to his. You should really put out it.It was not defamatory and and quite appropriate too I found. How about it then ha? I am not going to wait here till tomorrow.Do your damndest and publish I double dare you! S

do not worry, she will put all responsibility on zionists. as one guy said that puting to jail and killing terrorist- oh freedom fighters - israel put to risk new mission, since new generation of fighters can not get expirience from elders.

The term 'islamofascist" was not coined, as Mr. Mark Lincoln has claimed in his post, by 'some crack-pot radio host". It was coined by the heroic and brilliant Christopher Hitchens while he was still on staff of that well-known bastion of Christian Right - "The Nation". (for all you unfamiliar with American press, "The Nation" is the ultra-liberal publication). Mr.Hitchens resigned from the "Nation", when in the wake of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the US, this magazine issued editorial after editorial filled with soul-searching and mea culpas. His heroism, however, is not in parting ways with the liberal left over their stubborn refusal to recognize that the terror was motivated and funded by radical Islam and , yes, by Islamofascists. Mr, Hitchens has provided shelter to Salman Rushdie in his house, while the fatwa issued by another brand of islamofascists was still fresh, and while the danger to Mr. Hitchens himself for this selfless act was just as great as the danger to the great writer.

but at least from 1920, it means 85 years.

Hello Alex How wrong can you be.Me Khalid? That's an unwaranted accusation. Does Khalid have the preserve to use the word "mendacity"? If the shoe fits than I'll use it and when appopriate to do so my friend.To put me in the same category with Khalid is an affront to me and an insult. I know what Khalid stands for and please retract the accusation.Very uncalled for believe me. I cannot stand the man and his diatribes towards our Country and our People.I cannot add anything further it is too disturbing for words. I would like an apology from you if you don't mind. regards S

i totally agree with your statement about PA, so i do not accept your plan about UN trust.

It's a good thing those peace workers weren't wasting their time eating at Restaurants in Israel, riding buses in Jerusalem, attending chilren's birthday parties, shopping in malls, ordering food from pizzerias instead of spending time in combat areas in Palestinian communties where they'd be "safe". huh?

totally agree with first part of your post. but i cannot believe that this rabble can make a responsible nation, less still sucsessful one.

Not enough gumption to condemn the kidnappings as morally evil? I guess like Gaza Boy, you consider them not that big of a deal. I'm sure that once the Burtons announce to the world the good times had by all, the UK will rescind their travel to Gaza advisories.

totally agree. without saying that brazil is much safer, hospitable and more beutifull and brazilians do appreshiate aid.

So you've no problem with Palestinians justifying and supporting their suicide bombers? Don't worry, I wasn't expecting you to be morally courageous and condemn suicide bombing murder yourself.

Jane, Al Queada is a very diffuse, and ad hoc organization. Al Queada proper is probably weaker now than at any time in the last 15 years. There are a very large and wide number of Jihadist organizations which are either very loosely or not at all connected with Al Queada. There are many more Islamic militants who are motivated by local situations and not sharing any significant concerns with Al Queada. People affiliated with autocratic political organizations with a rigid hierarchy and strict discipline often have trouble grasping the nature of loosely affiliated and directed coalitions of individuals and groups who share little besides a common hatred and similar ideologies. This is why guerrillas often prevail against dictatorships. This inability to comprehend has had much to do with the failure of the Bush administration to cope with Al Queada or prevent, or eliminate, the insurgencies in Iraq. Just because someone or some organization is Muslim, and engaged in terrorism, does not mean it is Al Queada. Rather it probably isn't even in communications with Al Queada. Dealing with them probably would be easier if they were - communications are a prime weak point in most conspiracies. I believe I have seen you using the propaganda delusion "islamofascist", coined by a crack-pot radio host that considers George Bush a liberal sell-out. Deluding yourself about your enemy is a dangerous thing to do. Better to study them with intent to feel what they feel, and see the world they way they do. Consider carefully, what real options they have, and how they can achieve their goals with what they have. Jihadists are not, and cannot be, fascists. They are, in most cases, reactionaries, responding to the dramatic changes in the middle east over the last few generations, with a romantic desire to return to a 'pure' Islamic middle east that never existed except in their imaginations. Their success in recent years have come from first the emotional impact of humiliations delivered in repeated wars with western nations (especially Israel). Success has also come from the corrupt and mostly secular Arab governments that grew out of the attempt by radicals of 50 years ago to 'modernize" failure to better the lives of most Arabs. Above all else, the successes of the last few years have come from the fact that George W. Bush and his pals have anointed Osama bin Laden with the dual crowns of being a prophet who predicted the conquest of Iraq, and that of being deemed a mortal threat to the Christian United States of America.

There is only one person who uses the word "mendacity" on these boards. Now you are an agent-provocateur, Khalid? Nice going..

Daoud hear this! Just interfering especially encouraging that stupid man/boy who,s name cetainly(like yours)is not James and is using this as a cover.I have already sent him a post telling him to get off and don't be a silly little billy. Be that as it may to the point of the kidnappings: It is a well known fact throughout the islamic countries plus in the uncivilized ones where that the insidious fighters use this method you know damn well. Iraq,Afganistan,and so many other muslim countries.A typical cowardly way to attack and demand a ransome. A stoke in trade so to speak. Their "Modus Operandi" for sure. So, stop your mendacity and tell the truth and be honest for once. Your brethren there are just the scum of the earth and we all know that.Also even your other arab brethren despise the lot of you to add insult to injury.Funny isn't it? Goodbye S

So, all ye terror-apologists and supporters who have darkly suggested that Mossad and IDF were the kidnappers of Miss Burton + parents? What say you now? Do you have more blood libel theories brewing in your one-track little minds? We can't wait to hear.

NEWSFLASH--The Kidnappers were shape shifting reptilian zionists from planet zion

Whoever you are. Why don't you find another way to enjoy your ego,or whatever you think you know are uttering. As for your name,Ha,you are a laugh a minute.If you are a James than the moon is made of blue cheese. Here we people are well educated and can spot the likes of you within a few centimeters away.So, stop your meanderings into the affairs that do not concern you,nor do we need your drivell here. Go away and stay in your warren. S

Hi FOX, You wrote to me this: (stand in line and wait your turn, much like Gaza I guess) what do you mean by this?

Yes? I thought he was an Israeli supporter playing the role of an enemy of Israel.

"There has to be an end to these kidnappings, they do NOT serve the cause of the Palestinians." These are the words of Johannes. Our proud and ignorant Viking. For him there doesn't seem to be any problem with the simple act of kidnapping. hey what is so bad in being kidnapped? It sucks, and kidnappers should not be allowed to run amock in Gaza or Stockholm. But again it is an essential part of your absurdity, in which you consider yourself oh so good and liberal, yet for some reason you have no problem with suicide bombers or kidnappers. Forget the Palestinian cause, this is not good.

Thats right

using 2 nicknames(just passing and enlightened)

Mel i happen to have dislexia-i have come a long way in my ability to spell. Why not judge the content of my statement rather than its form

Just Watched Israeli spoksman- Giedion mair-being blasted by the BBC over the palistions inability to control gaza--Living in Brition means i have no chose but to pay a licance fee that funds the BBC and there anti-Israel retoric --if not paid and i own a TV they can put me in prision.

Where did you learn that propaganda? You should read newspapers.

There has to be an end to these kidnappings, they do NOT serve the cause of the Palestinians. Johanes_Franzen@hotmail.com

just had a quick browse through yesterdays postings. It is sad that we see things very differently as i see the usual spiteful zionist remarks and you see this as a Palestinian lovefest. I note there are not too many Palestinains actually on the forum (perhaps supporters?). I worry about the state of this world where we all can become so blinkered so quickly.

is a favorite Khalid warm-up sentence so there must be a connection although your spelling is a bit better. As for Al Kaida and Gazan gangs, same cake but with different frostings. Give the Gazan terror groups a chance and they will not disappoint their Al Kaida buddies. The catch is that they won't get that chance.

I think it is very sad yes that this has occurred. I guess everybody has badness in their society and is, after all, a bunch of gunmen that have committed this crime. Should this be held against the Palestinians? Are the authorities not doing their very best to find them? What is ironic is that the 'Most Moral Army in the world' (ha ha ha ) has killed more foreign peace workers than common palestinian criminals have managed.

Thursday, September 08, 2005 Editorial ***The killing of former Palestinian security chief Moussa Arafat is yet another example of the deadly lawlessness that has taken hold in the Gaza Strip. In recent months, Palestinian and international human rights groups, lawyers, judges and activists have been sounding the alarm about the climate of chaos and warning that it threatens to undermine all prospects for peace, security and statehood. They warned that even as Israel was preparing for its historic pullout from the occupied territory, militants were stepping up their campaign of violence. The streets of Gaza have been the scene of increased abductions and deadly clashes between militants and security forces. Amid this rash of infighting and violence, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has been either unwilling or unable to impose order. Members of armed groups - even those whose identity is well known - have rarely been held accountable for their crimes. ***In the past three months, as the violence has steadily increased, the climate of lawlessness has spared no one. Local and international aid and relief agencies that are working to improve the lives of Palestinians have come under attack: Militants have attacked or abducted staff members of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations Development Program and the UN Relief and Works Agency. Civilians have also been caught in the crossfire: In July, at least five bystanders, including four children, were killed as a result of armed clashes between PA security forces and militants. Even the judiciary has not been spared from the deadly violence: Militants have used their guns to intimidate judges and have even bombed the homes of the attorney general and the head of the High Judicial Council. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=17&article_id=18301

how ironic that the very people this girl came to help kidnapped her. The Palestinians certainly know how to shoot themselves in the foot.

Firstly the idea that the IDF would look for the Brits was not suggested by me. I also thought it was amusing - unless, as i stated it was used as an excuse to continue bombing Gaza. Secondly, yes i would look out for ANY human being if i could help. I have not lost my humanity. I may critisize Israeli actions but do not wish anyone dead. Lastly, are you comparing the Palestinians (or just Gazans) to Al Kaida? Why?

Might explain a lot, no?

"chaos after the Israeli military pullout this week is raising serious questions about the Palestinian Authority's ability to assert control. If Gaza remains lawless, the potential payoffs ? renewed peace talks, economic reconstruction, revived hopes for statehood ? will be threatened." "So far the Palestinian leadership's promises to restore order have fallen short. Palestinian officials pledged to seal the Egyptian border, but people have been crossing daily. They promised to rein in gunmen, but Hamas drew its largest crowd ever this week, with tens of thousands of people, many of them armed and masked, converging on Gaza City's main square." "Palestinian policemen stood by helplessly as looters carted off irrigation hoses, water pumps and plastic sheeting from former Israeli greenhouses that American Jewish donors bought and transferred to the Palestinian Authority." http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/09/16/international/i111541D95.DTL

Those pesky laws! In a place as lawless as Gaza under PA rule the terrorists should not be blamed for thinking kidmapping is legal! They were just a little confused seeing a British family and all, you know how it is. They were compelled because of the OCCUPATION! Oh wait, Israel is no longer occupying Gaza so it must be because of the ethnic cleansing Israel perpetrated in Gaza, oh wait, there was no ethnic cleansing...so I guess it's just that the kidnappers are a bunch of ignorant, primative criminals who have nothing better to do with themselves. Yes, that's it!

"They love to put their own vile values onto others " Guess you missed yesterday's Palestinian lovefest where all the Palestinians were posting in support of, and excusing yesterday's terrorist suicide bombing. Not even the deaths of two innocent Palestinans bothered to slow down their effuse support.

So, according to the Muslim council of Britain, the Israelis are responsible for everything. Even if they were kidnapped by "Pals", it is as if they had been kidnapped by Israelis. Is that what you mean? As another article says here, Arabs never blame themselves for anything. They are so perfect.

"and the guts to take control of the gun toting "freedom fighters"" Well, right there, you're going to lose him. Yesterday, El-Birawi was posting in support of the terrorist bomber who was dispatched to murder children at a party.

Then it has not been the girl's friends who took her and her parents to a party. And will they be flown to Canada? If the "Pals" supporters here know it, they will be really disappointed. They said that, fortunately, the Britons were in the hands of "Pal" thugs.

Michael might I suggest that you return to your secondary education & learn to spell.

Pretending that the ISRAELIS look for the Brits in Gaza? Would the Americans look for an Al Kaida groupie if he was kidnapped by a rival gang in Kabul? Or would YOU look out for an Israeli in distress if you were JUST PASSING by?

All I am suggesting is that it could be in Israels interest to kidnap the British Citizens as they continue to press the Palestinian people to renounce their claim to an independent soveriegn state. It means the UK then also puts pressure on the palestinian people. It would not be the first time Mossad had kidnapped anyone e.g Mordechai Vanunu to name one.

Isn't it ironic that those people who volunteer to help the "Pals" are kidnapped and killed by their protegees?

I suppose they were glad when the seven hooded men yelling and shouting holdind AK`s in a part of the world where they regulary kill people approached them. Since the girl supports the human rights of those good people, I bet she and her parents thought their friends had prepared a surprise party to thank them.

Perhaps not fair to say that you're not welcome here but whilst here do your best to say something intelligent. You think that if and when the captives are realeased that they won't know whether Arabs or Iraelis kidnapped them ? But then again, perhaps not. There is total anarchy in Gaza right now and no one is in control so aid workers that go there are not 'brave' they are DUMB. I truly wish that the above were not true because it's not in anyone's interests to have a place that's governed by mob rule anywhere. Most of all it's bad for the Palestinians and I do care about them. Abbas unfortunately was too weak and on the way out and I believe that it may be better to Hamas in charge. They would put an end to the anarchy very quickly. Mike

oh yes I forgot, no good job there, no good income, Russia is an expensive place but for nothing.

Kim: Leon is nuttier than a fruitcake. I remember him posting that the 7/7 bombings were the work of the Israelis because they had the most to gain.

The spokesman from the "Muslim councel of Britian' has already said in an interview "IF"--it is palistions who have kidenaped them --the implecation being 'its those bad israelis again". so weather there in good hands or not wont matter --its all Israels fault anyway.

I happen to know it was those damn Canadians that did it! They want to get back a England for their occupation and colonization of the North American continent. So we need to be on the look out for an uncover Royal Canadian Mounted Police unit, because we all know their motto of "we always get our man" and being Canadain they don't know the difference between male and female.

How fast do the terror-apologists take up the blood libel against Israel. Stubbornly in denial about the glaring facts of rampant kidnappings in Gaza perpetrated by Palis, there are some on this forum who hint darkly that surely the Mossad is behind Miss Burton's abduction. And I suppose the abductors of foreigners in Iraq are also all Israelis?

James- It doesn't take much for you does it? See, that is why you can't be trusted even though you probably think of yourself as 'neutral'. Toodle pip! Eric

Do you know the number of peace activists killed by the IDF as compared to peace activists killed by palastinian kidnappers?

And apologiser for terrorism. I gave up with his posts when I saw they were demonstrably biased and of little value to intelligent debate. Maybe he will improve when he's out of short trousers?

If murderers like Hamas and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades have denounced it, who does it leave? Islamic Jihad! and I think we all know how dumb these guys are with their actions (The recent murder of along with IDF officer and THREE Palestinians) So go after them, or maybe some gang took them and want a car or a cash in exchange, who knows?!

I hope the brave young girl and her family will be found safe and sound, I doubt very much the IDF will be out and about trying to find her (that IS a joke right?) Unless they use it as an excuse to start bombing gaza again...

Your soooo right kim. The kidnappers have them in the Penthouse serving them tea and krumpets. They watch movies and eat popcorn To anyone who says they are ok, it's no big deal I would like to see how happy they are when seven hooded men yelling and shouting holdind AK's in a part of the world where they regulary kill people, drag you out of your car and into a van. What? Not Fun? Also to people who think quassams are no big deal, I would like to see them pitch a tent and camp out in the rocket zones and see how big a deal it is one one falls on them.

BBCNews. Saturday, 17 July, 2004 "Gaza kidnappings trigger crisis The Palestinian Authority has been plunged into a political crisis by a spate of kidnappings in Gaza." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3903153.stm

you have outstayed your welcome.

if anybody needed to see for himself the unpleasantness of david james trickery then read his disgusting and loathsome contention that mossad kidnapped the poor britons.he knows very well that he lies. trickery when we are shown the kidnappers then i will remind you of your knavery.

What happens is normal among the "Pals". If gang A kidnaps somebody of gang B, gang B kidnaps somebody of gang A, as a means to force the liberation. This has been happening for a long time.

Don't worry. The contributors who are on the know say we don't have to worry because those Britons are in good hands.

"i no it wll be imposable but wouldnt it be great if an israeli undercover unit rescued them. would there be a thank you? " How clever. And then the Israeli bashers will accuse the Israelis of invasion. I don't think Israel falls for it. Besides the "Pal" supporters here say the kidnapped people are perfectly well because the kidnappers are very good people. So why to care?

It would make you feel better to think That jews hate you huh. Jews for the most part do not have dillutions of grander that we are exclusivly g-ds chosen. As a jew I put my pants on one leg at a time, I am sure you do too.

So Christopher Linthwaite thinks the Mossad is behind this. It was only a matter of time before the kidnapping of a naive British woman and her family by Palestinians was blamed on Israel! The Romans kill Jesus and its the Jews to blame. The Christian Phalangists kill refugees in Sabra and Chatilla and its the Jews to blame. Al Quaida blows up the Twin Towers and its the Jews to blame. Mr Linthwaite follows in a centuries old tradition. He should be careful. Perhaps the Jews are poisoning his wells and making matzot out of his childrens' blood!

In my view, a crime or act of terrorism against any innocent person should always be condemned. Palestinian terrorists have long preyed on innocent Israelis in their quest to destroy Israel and yesterday's suicide bombing is further evidence of that. Kate Burton--regardless of her political viewpoint--and her family are innocent victims of criminals. Both the terrorism and kidnapping are unjustified. Yet, both the terrorism and kidnapping reflect the pathologies of a society in which terrorist groups and other armed thugs retain the ability to operate with impunity and terrorists who committed suicide in the act of killing innocent people are glorified. Hopefully, the Palestinian Authority will finally recognize the urgent need to begin dismantling the terrorist groups, their infrastructure, and other armed elements. Until then, Israel will have little choice but to defend herself and Palestinian society will remain unsafe and economically-deprived. Such a situation benefits neither Israelis and ordinary Palestinians.

Lets hope her perents don't ask for bacon and eggs for dinner

i no it wll be imposable but wouldnt it be great if an israeli undercover unit rescued them. would there be a thank you?

It would not suprise me in the least if this is a Mossad operation. Ariel Sharon himself had wanted foreigners out of the Occupied Terrortories contrary to International Law. I fear for their safety if this is the case as Mossad uses torture again contarary to International Law

Leon has to stay with us. Please read his posts again. He's on our side. You are right though that the ISM and other terrorist organizations' branches are asking for volunteers. I have thought of a couple of our friends who, I am sure, will be pleased to enlist, such as Johanes Franzen and Dutch.

Kidnapping western solidarity workers is as counterproductive and morally catastrophic as blowing up civilians. I cannot fathom that Palestinians would do this. Given the IDF agents posing as Palestinians and attempting to hooliganize the peaceful Bil'in demonstrations against the illegal Separation Wall, (some of which has been documented in Ha'aretz earlier this fall) it cannot be ruled out that the seven armed men the article above speaks of were also agents of the IDF.

James you've got it exactly right. We both know who the real terrorists are, and Kate and her parents will be safe if they are indeed in the hands of Gazans.

You said: "There is only one group of people who hate all human rights activists and they ain`t palestinians! ...the only ones gloating here are the zionists. Shame on you." I believe that if those good people were indeed kidnapped by Gazans they are be safe and sound. But if they were instead captured by Mossad agents, we have a great deal to fear.

"Are they at Khalid`s home? " It would be no surprise. He has disguised again under another personality and is spreading the word that the kidnappers are not "Pal" but what you can imagine coming from a professional propagandist.

Very easy to know. "Pals" have been kidnapping people for a long time now. And besides who are used to biting the hand who feeds them?

El Birawi thank you for being honest. The PA can't run anything. It is SAD / HARAM. No wonder they are voting for Hamas. I probably would too in desperation. Allah Wayak.

Because the English got the Olympics? Makes as much sense as the usual Palestinian conspiracy theories!

They even kidnapped a member of Hamas branch ISM. Have you read my post (*Kidnappings in Gaza*)?

Yes Leon, talking is not enough , we need you to put your FEET where your MOUTH is, that is in GAZA of course. Enough talking empty rhethoric and canned sentences overflowing with obsolete communist lingo. The Pals need HELP and instead of mailing useless posts come and do much needed volunteer work. OR ARE YOU AFRAID OF BEING KIDNAPPED BY THE SAME PEOPLE YOU ARE SO HIPHOP ABOUT?

Your posting shows a glimmer of hope. I agree with you about the incapacity of the PA to do anything well but I do not agree with you that the Palestinians as a whole are unfit to rule. What is needed is dynamic leadership, revamped educational agenda, good management of the millions of aid dollars and the guts to take control of the gun toting "freedom fighters"

Yeh - they make me sick as well. The gloating particulary upsets me. The remarks here previously regarding Rachael Corrie shows us what type of people are on this forum. They love to put their own vile values onto others and cannot see goodness as they possess none themselves. Sad really...

"I dont know for sure, but something tells me (and I`m sure I`m not that far off) that anyone who travels to Gaza to help the Arabs are in one way or another Jew haters." You are incredibly far off. I work with orphans living in a Catholic mission down in Mexico. Does that mean I hate non-Catholics? If I did, I'm in trouble. I'm married to a Jewish man who lived in Israel all his life. He doesn't hate Arabs, so it is you who are an anti-semite. Arabs are semites too.

There is only one group of people who hate all human rights activists and they ain't palestinians! I remeber the comments from this forum re. Rachael Corrie (RIP) and to be honest they were hateful they made my skin crawl. Who actually is benefitting from this kidnapping? I speak mainly tongue in cheek but i do feel the only ones gloating here are the zionists. Shame on you.

Isn't this an internal Palestinian affairs to be covered by their BBC cronies and otherwise un-news??

we need to hear from chris patten like we need a hole in the head.may he never come back to us.

What did they expect. You play with fire, you get burnt as my grandmother would say.

Hey Gaza Boy, it is nice to know that you like the cold. Obviously after experiencing your first snowfall, which must have been lovely, you are now an expert on Russia. Come on buddy, their are many people reading this site who are hoping to get something better out of you. You are simply letting us down. Your postings have become such monumental dribble. You say nothing, and speak about stuff you know nothing about. sure it is true what the Russians did to Grozny makes Gaza look like nothing. Something that maybe you should note, as for miss burton she would never have gotten close to the area, yet write articles and raise money for Russia's enemy. Please Gaza boy, enjoy your new home, and remember it is Britain, not Gaza, so toss your garbage in the rubbish bin and stand in line and wait your turn, much like Gaza I guess.

***Since the start of the Intifada, residents of Gaza have noticed a startling increase in incidents of lawlessness and vigilantism, and a steady decline in the rule of law*** Read more http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/7E0AE00B-0E67-42B3-9B98-11C84287BD42.htm

Today I sat with a few friends visiting from Canada. Harking back to our unviersity days, we chose the nihilist path to understanding this odd kidnapping. Of course as nihilists we had to remove any evidence of morality or subjective patronistic attitudes from the debate. It came down to this. If one is to take a side and state the case for their side then one has to live the life of their side. This young lady has chosen to side with the Palestinians. she obviously has come to the conclusion that manifestations of Palestinian nationalism are acceptable and even commendable. This philosophy makes room for suicide killings, clan muscle and alpha-male mentality. Both the launching of missles, the worship of blood and the gun, and of course kidnappings as a political maneuver or a means to acquire capital are all justified in the name of fighting occupations and the effects of occupation on a society. This woman and her fellow thinkers have helped blaze the path to total moral and societal degradation. As a believer in the inevitablity of occupation and its manifestations of the body politic, then she should have expected and even wanted to be kidnapped. Since we live in a climate where the far left and the far right hate Israel so much, that anything the Pals do is understanble, then a good kinapping of an innocent civilized Brit, makes the front pages and only helps to seerve the Palestinian cause. If she is true to her beliefs then this is what she wanted, and needed. She is probably now sitting sipping sweet tea and showing her parents how to drag on a hookah. Soon she will be released and then interviewed where she will plead the case of her kidnappers turning them into victims and claiming that she represents the western Judeo-Christian historical oppressor of the Moslem. her parents will come back with slides and digital photos of the event. This will certainly be a story with a happy ending, something they can take to the grave, after passing it on to their grandchildren. How cozy, how inevitable.

...because you are Jew and world care less about your suffering by dealing with khalid=s nation. Than sooner Jews stopped look back upon reaction of the world than more chances Israel and Jews would have for their survival. The irony is that by fighting khalids Jews are saving Christians, and other world=s people.

Supporting terrorists? How do you know these people support terrorists? Do you know them? What's wrong with you racists!?!? You make me sick. All gentiles people are bad, and you are the Children of God. Isn't that how it goes? You are the scum, because you hide your bigotry behind the suffering of others (e.g. holocaust victims).

Kidnappings have become fashionable in Gaza, so to speak. July 2005 13 July. Kidnapping of a British and an Austrian nationals in Gaza city. 24 July. Kidnapping of an American ISM activist in Rafah. 29 July. Two UN employees were kidnapped in the Gaza Strip. Zoi Constantine (Australian) and Steve Sabella (Palestinian with Jerusalem ID) from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) were kidnapped along a busy street in Gaza City?s beach front area of El Remal at approximately 13:40. The two were forced into their UN vehicle by armed members of the Abed family and driven to Jihad Mahmoud Abed house in Ibad Rahman area of Jabalia. The two UN officials were held in the house in the northern Gaza Strip where other armed persons set fire to the streets and alleyways around the house. The Abed family said that the kidnapping was in response to the earlier kidnapping of their family member, Jihad, by an armed group referring to themselves as the Jenin Martyrs Brigade. Abed had been kidnapped as he crossed back in the Gaza Strip from Egypt with his family at Abu Houli checkpoint on 28 July 2005 at approximately 14:30 and held in al Burreij Refugee camp. Abed is a Colonel in Military Intelligence and a senior aide to the former Head of Military Intelligence, Mousa Arafat. The Abed family demanded his release in return for the UN official?s release.

...where those hostages are. For some idiots who think that they can survive ruthless aggression of muslim world by expense of Jewish people - this is the answer. British never been known for their sympathy, kindness and support of Jews. Their anti-Semitic nature is well demonstrated even by their royal family. Latest attack on London and this barbarian kidnapping are well illustrating facts for my point. For khalids the rest of the world is world of enemies. Due to khalids mental inability to understand the consequences of their digression they do not see that their future is very grim. However, due to the fact of absence of any social skills when it comes to coexistence with the rest of the world, khalids do not mind to expire as long as other people on Earth would suffer.

The BBC web-site reports a lucid and much-needed analysis of the situation by an expert on the conflict in Palestine (based in the prestigious Bir-Zeit university). The expert points out that the palestinian population is very open to outsiders and traditionally hospitable, and therefore it is unlikely that the British peace activists would be maltreated in any way. The abduction should NOT be regarded as an act against these foreign nationals, but as an expression of internal Palestinian strifes between the Palestinian leadership and opposition groups. How refreshing to hear this after seeing the shameless exploitation of the event by the zionist media. This message from the expert must be proclaimed very loud and clear: after all, dissenting opposition groups are a sign of a healthy democracy.

If you find them separated from their heads you will know. If it isn't Al Qaeda it is the gang who couldn't shoot straight and they are not taking "credit" because they realized what a f-up this is.

Such is the fruit of British adventures in Gaza. For years, Palestinian thugs have been supplied by terror loving Chris Patten and English NGOs like International Soidarity Movement against Jews. In England recently, a play on the death of Rachel Corrie was made. Now the English are experiencing traditional Palestinian gratitute. British citizens are being subjected forcefully to Palestinian hsopitality, likely from al_Qaida, whom the EU has allowed to cross from Rafah. The irony is inescapable. British citizens being kidnapped by the Rachel Corrie birgade. Chris Patten should visit Gaza immediately

she we can assume came to help.and they turn on her and devour her.together with her parents. if we do not understand our environment then it is our own fault. when we hear the abuse poured on us by azmi bishara and the other over-fed mk who spoke today then we dismiss their invective at our peril.

Kate, you`re a good soul, but you can`t expect terrorists to appreciate that. Why did you trust them? Why didn`t you ask the advice of an Israeli before you ventured into your misguided, hopeless lost cause? If you`re reading this take faith that you & your mum & dad will be released! But, remember don`t come back & do tell your friends & family the truth about the Palestinian thugs!

You speak of Palestinian violence for the last hundred years? The Ottoman Empire was a haven for Jews unti it's demise. Why did thousands of Jews flee Europe to the Ott Empire? You can not rewrite history to suit your argument.

On 19 July 2005, the Al Mezan Center issued a press release expressing grave concern about the security situation in the OPT and holding the PNA completely responsible for its continued deterioration. ?Recent violent armed clashes between Palestinian security forces and the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, have left ten Palestinians injured three cars damaged and a research center torched. On July 19 2005, at approximately 3am, armed clashes broke out between members of Hamas and Palestinian security forces in Jabalia refugee camp, in the north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, one Hamas member was wounded. Around the same time, a group of individuals wearing masks broke into and set fire to the Arab Center for Research and Studies, near Al Quds Open University in Gaza City. The Center is run by the Islamic Khalas party At approximately 3.30am, a group of unknown persons burned a white Subaro car, owned by a Hamas. In response, a number of Hamas members and supporters gathered near the marketplace in Jabalia refugee camp and proceeded to set fire to a car belonging to the head of the north Gaza governorate branch of the Fatah youth organization. Roughly an hour later, clashes resumed near the Al Awda hospital in the Tel Al Zaatar area of Jabalia. In total, some 10 people were injured, including two Hamas members, six members of the Palestinian security forces, one policeman, and a civilian. A Savannah car belonging to the Palestinian security forces was also set alight. According to information given to the Center, two RPG missiles were fired at the car. Finally, at around 4.40am, another group of masked persons attacked a BMW car on Ezz Eddin Al Qassam Street, in Gaza City. Two people inside the car were severely injured and other cars nearby were badly damaged. Al Mezan strongly condemns these violent actions, which seriously jeopardize the personal and societal safety of Palestinians. These acts converts residential areas into a battlefield, threatening the safety of all those living in these areas. Al Mezan calls upon the Palestinian National Authority to assume its responsibility by upholding the law and working to prevent these violations of Palestinian human rights. It also demands the PNA put an end to the spread of weapons in the Gaza Strip, by confiscating unlicensed weapons and punishing members of security bodies who carry their weapons after work. The PNA must also hold members of the security forces legally responsible for improperly discharging their weapons. Al Mezan emphasizes the need to bring perpetrators of these violations to justice. ? ====== As a conclusion, this organization is concerned about the terrorists? human rights, not about the rights of their Israeli victims. I wish the kidnapping is an eye opener for the kidnapped collaborator.

no justice in this world. Here she is laboring hard for her terrorist friends, and the less civilized & less grateful competitors kidnap her. I wonder, if released, would her parents ask her morron daughter to get the hell out?

First off Al Mezan is not a "Palestinian rights group". It is another terrorist support network, like ISM. They are not interested in anything other than helping the terrorist murder more Israelis. Some 'rights' organization.

How are they going to use force and how are they going to "get them" if they don't know who they are or where they are?

As Mark Steyn said regarding another, similar story: "You'd have to have a heart of stone not to weep with laughter." I hope they're released after a few days, suitably chastened. I then look forward to hearing Ms. Burton stridently find a way to blame the whole thing on Israel.

Based on his postings lately it would not surprise in the slightest if they are at his home. Have the authorities checked there yet?

It is does not take a person of simple intelligence more than minutes to see that the PA is unfit and is incapable of doing and controling any thing. The Palestinians and the international donors pay hundered of millions to a government that is simply incompetent, corrupt and ineffective in any thing they do. From discussions with Israel, to directing traffic, to managing law and order. I always stated that the best solutions for both Israel and Palestine is for the UN to appoint a Trusteeship to manage and administer the occupied territories for an interim period of 5 years. We Palestinians have to face it, we are unfit to rule and unfit to govern. That is the fact.