Palestinian group demands Qaida man's release for BBC reporter
Statement posted on an Qaida-linked Web site; if verified, demands offer new evidence of Qaida inroads in Gaza.
By The Associated Press and Haaretz ServiceIn a statement posted on an Al-Qaida-linked Web site, a shadowy Palestinian militant group - the Army of Islam - said Wednesday that it is holding kidnapped British reporter Alan Johnston - posting a photo of his identity card - and demanded the release of a militant Islamic cleric being held in a U.K. jail.
If verified, the recording would be the first time Johnston's captors have made public demands and provided new signs that Al-Qaida is making inroads in the Gaza Strip.
Johnston, a 44-year-old British Broadcasting Corporation correspondent, was kidnapped on March 12 in Gaza City and has not been seen or heard from since. There were claims by a previously unknown group that he was killed, but no proof was ever provided.
In the recording, the Army of Islam demanded the British government "release our prisoners and particularly Sheik Abu Qatada the Palestinian in exchange for Johnston."
A copy of the recording also was left at the Gaza City office of the Al-Jazeera satellite channel, though it did not broadcast the tape.
The recording, which includes audio and photographs, shows a large picture of Johnston's BBC press card - the strongest evidence yet that the Army of Islam is actually holding the journalist. However, the tape did not include any signs of life from Johnston himself, such as footage or recordings of his voice.
Although the Army of Islam's claim could not be verified, the same group - which has loose ties to Hamas and other militant groups - was involved in the capture last June of Israel Defense Forces soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit.
It is headed by members of a powerful Gaza clan, the Doghmushes, widely believed responsible for several kidnappings of foreigners in Gaza. A family member tied to the group declined comment.
The recording was posted on a Web site often used by Al-Qaida and its branch in Iraq to post messages. Other militant groups also have used the site, though it is rarely used by Palestinian militants.
The 20-minute recording includes a fiery diatribe against the West, posting a slideshow that includes images from the war in Iraq, Muslim prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, and Westerns soldiers praying before a cross. Islamic music plays in the background, and pictures glorifying Abu Qatada are repeatedly shown.
"It is a must for Muslims to mobilize against this vicious crusade against Islam's nation... and throughout this war and actions, we will not sit idly watching our Muslim brothers being tortured with the worse torture inside the infidels' prisons. Thus we have managed to take the Briton Alan Johnston as a prisoner."
Israeli and Palestinian security officials have warned in recent months that they fear Al-Qaida is trying to infiltrate the Gaza Strip, though the extent of the inroads remains unclear.
The large Palestinian militant groups, such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have said their struggle is only against Israel, and not against the West.
Abu Qatada, a Jordanian of Palestinian origin, is accused of having links to terrorist groups, and is currently awaiting deportation to Jordan from Britain.
In a statement, the BBC said it was aware of the tape. We have no comment on the demands made of the British Government in the tape. "We remain concerned for Alan's well-being and call for his immediate release."
A spokeswoman for the British Foreign Office said the government wanted to review the tape before commenting on its contents.
"A video such as this is very distressing to Alan's family, friends and colleagues. We are of course in constant contact with his family and the BBC. We are looking into this as a matter of urgency, in particular we are continuing to work closely with the Palestinian Authority in order to establish the facts and to try and secure Alan's safe release, the spokeswoman said."
The tape was released hours after a senior British diplomat met with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to discuss Johnston's case. Haniyeh, of the Islamic militant group Hamas, has called for Johnston's release.
Haniyeh's spokesman, Ghazi Hamad, said he could not verify the recording.
"According to the tape, yes they are they kidnappers ... but we haven't confirmed this yet," he said.
Gaza-based security analyst Shaker Shabat said the recording appeared authentic, but said the extent of the Al-Qaida connection remained unclear.
He said, for instance, a local group might be trying to gain favor with Al-Qaida to get funding. Their demands tell the outside the world that they are related to Al-Qaida.
A senior British diplomat met Tuesday with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas to discuss the Johnston's fate.
"This unfortunate incident is of great concern to the British government," said Richard Makepeace, the U.K. consul-general in Jerusalem, as he left Haniyeh's office in Gaza.
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An image taken from a Web site used by Islamic militants mainly in Iraq purporting to show the BBC identity card of British reporter Alan Johnston. (AP) |
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Which is why the BBC is in communication with Hamas instead of Israel. You are the fool...
"...the pragmatists in power are willing to let the radicals have an open free hand..." Everybody has a legitimate right in the democratic process in this country. We believe democracy has its own ability to bring radicalism into the MIDDLE, except some small minority of them. If they willing to bring VIOLENCE to achieve their goals, that's good, because the ARMY has reason to shut them up for good, once and for all. Thanks for that friendly comment.
...They could easily have shown a short video of him... Even showing video of him alive doesn't mean he is alive. However, I think he is alive, because these seem serious demands from the kidnappers. They are not playing game here, I can feel it. If they says he is alive, he is alive. Believe me
Just what indication, or more exactly proof, do you have that Johnston is not being held by the Army of Islam? Your hunches, based on your admitted loathing of Israel, will not suffice. You better have some concrete evidence.
They could easily have shown a short video of him, at little or no cost, and it would have strengthened their negotiating position. Instead, they showed a picture of his ID card. Ergo, Johnston is no longer with us. Beheading video to follow.
The Pali people deserve better than thousand of heavily armed men with masks taking over the streets. Once the spectre of civilization and quest for peace are accompanied by a real resolve to disarm all but the security force, then they can address the Quartet requirements. Until then Israel MUST take all precautions in the name of security. The governments that critcize Israel's policies are knuckling under Islamic Fascism. Ultra- left wing Israelis cause damage and have a death wish.
"How many mass murderers of British citizens or would be mass murderers of British citizens should be released in exchange for Alan?" It isn't a question of money or exchange, Gina. The kidnappers, the Israelis, simply wanted Alan Johnston out of the way. As the only Western reporter in Gaza they wanted to silence his voice. Today's "tape" - a photo of his identity card, a list of likely-sounding terrorist demands and a shadowy Arab terror group attribution - was a transparent charade, another production of Israeli black operations. I fear we will never see Alan Johnston again.
This video does not even tell us whether he is alive.
How many mass murderers of British citizens or would be mass murderers of British citizens should be released in exchange for Alan? Several hundred?
Reporters are supposed to report events honestly and free of bias. You have already decided you know the facts, even if statements from Abbas and Hamas contradict your "knowledge". You also show a lot of concern for reporting from the territories but no concern for reporting from, say, the Darfur region where mass murder is taking place. You are no journalist. A sympathizer to the islamic cause of genocide, yes, but not a reporter - unless you are accredited by al-jazeera.
Its terrible for the PALs that their aspirational movement has been hijacked by the jihadists. Good for Zion.
Can anyone clarify that journalists can report freely from the territories??? I have yet to meet a journalist (being a jourmalist myself) who has been allowed to report from the territories without any sort of vetting or scrutiny from the IDF. This is because they ISRAEL do not want you to know what exactly they do to the palestinian population. And yes, i along with most of my journalist colleagues beleieve that Alan Johnston was kidnapped by the security services!!!! Peace to all. Free reign journalism i the territories.
Those who would report the truth have always been the worst enemies of dictators. Those who speak out against dictators. Those who fight for the overthrow of dictators. Those who support democracy and live by its principles. Those who have peace and love for all people in their hearts. Those are the heros and the journalists. Those who help win the fight and fight the fight. Remember Daniel Pearl.
I have seen a recent documentary on Islam and was informed that Indonesia has the largest Moslem population. The daily life was shown as open and free and especially interesting was the fact that women have the choice of dress. I assumed ( incorrectly) that women had to follow strict dress codes. Politically the country is pragmatic and democratic. The only problem on the horizon is that due to the democratic openess there is a growing radical Islamic group pushing for the strict following of Sharia. Whether or not this will be a positive or a negative for the country only time will tell. In the meantime the pragmatists in power are willing to let the radicals have an open free hand.
Today's story has opened up a whole new dilemna for the free world ...most pointedly so Britain. What to do for the government in power. Give in now or wait till the upcoming change of leadership to make the decision ? 2ndly. This statement about money. We are reminded almost daily of the Gazans starving to death. Emaciated bodies looking for scraps of food on the street and garbage bins...yet these guys have all the money they need to flaunt it at the Brits to get back their people.
Quote: 'His reports were fair and just to muslims'. To Muslims only, don't you mean? Johnston, like all other Britons, no doubt checked the Foreign & Commonwealth Office travel advisories via their website, & read the warnings NOT to travel to Gaza, for obvious reasons. Should Mr. Johnston, clearly not a murderer, be swapped for someone who clearly is? It may be different in Indonesia, but I am sure the UK government will not give into this blackmail. Indrajaya, you are one inconsistant dude; have you ever even been to the Middle East?
did that killing even occur? My point being that inter tribal skirmishs, gunbattles, carjackings, and kidnappings could be occuring every day. It's in the PA's interest to keep this mayhem quiet, so as not to embarras the Oil Arabs. If Gaza wasn't at war with itself I believe the IDF would have stormed in there, but why interfer when your enemies are killing themselves?
Being sorry would not bring him back. Beign sorry would not change that he had been murdered or kidnapped by Pal thugs. This is the gift that what you give to the non muslims even if he covers the Pal side.One time again Its proved that is useless. When the time come he wouldn't be safe We all know your lip services, you are glad that he is kidnapped and murdered. Who are you fooling? Aby
Wasn't he the guy they nabbed in NJ?
Do you think it will be really cool when Westerners start kidnapping muslims? We have some sick sad people here too .. but I certainly do not support their actions nor do I try to explain them away .. and I certainly do not find terrorits funny!
I am sorry to say that they (terrorists) don't care if he was at all sympathetic to the Palestinian cause or not (as you wrote). Many, many people kidnapped or killed by militants have been sympathetic to "the cause", but it doesn't matter. It's no different than in World War 2. At the end of the day, a Jew was a Jew. And many of the people killed in suicide bombings in Israel have been left-wing, Palestinian supporters. It doesn't matter. A terrorist is a terrorist.
Personally I still believe that something went wrong during or shortly after the kidnapping and that mr. Johnston is dead. It was wrong to take him in the first place because he was sympathetic towards the plight of the palestinians.
...NEVER GIVE IN TO TERRORISTS... I remind you Cipora, Israel is negotiating the release of her soldiers with HAMAS and Hezbollah. Negotiation like this had happened before. Or HAMAS and Hezbollah are longer terrorits organization now? LOL
"..why this sudden weakness?..." These are some reasons for that: 1. I love his report from the WB and Gaza 2. He is not Jewish settlers who stole the lands 3. He is not IDF soldiers 4. I have never heard the Army of Islam before 5. His reports were fair and just to muslims You don't have to be a muslim to make muslims fall in love with you and willing to give their lives for your safety.
haveing red your previous answers were all the misery in the world is beeing blamed on Israel and the jews, and were every possible action to free muslim land is legal and just, why this sudden weakness? Mr Johnston is not a muslim fundamentalist?
postings addressed to him with request for apology. It is easy to mlame MOSSAD, it is difficult to confess that error was done by the Great CLICK.
Gaza has been taken over by all manner of terrorists, including the Army of Islam. They answer to no one except to Sharia. If Hamas thinks that the civilized world will differentiate between them and other Jihadists, they are highly mistaken.
but for their short-term interests also very shrewd. Gaza has two hostages. The world at large cares little about the one but a lot about the other. No-one stands to gain from political stalemates.
Mr Clickfool.. If you are reading this, I would like to know your opinion on this - especially as you are a fellow Brit. Will you blame Israel?
How ridiculous and how tragic this issue has become. The Pals are holding an innocent man, who even has political sympathies for them, while the British are holding convicted Muslim terror criminals, who are British citizens. What sort of equation can come out of this? The Pals are only harming their own cause once again. Ridiculous and tragic.
If this is the case (why it took so long to identify who is abducting him), I'm so sorry to say, it seems Johnston still have to spend a quite sometime (more) in the hand of his kidnappers.