My thoughts and prayers are with Alan Johnston, his family, friends and colleagues at the BBC. Many of you are aware that Alan, the experienced and respected BBC correspondent in Gaza, was presumably kidnapped five weeks ago by masked gunman. On Sunday, a fax sent to various media organisations claimed Alan Johnston had been killed. While there has been no proof of his death, whatever his fate, circumstances for Alan must be dire.
This kidnapping has been a devastating blow to the Palestinian people and their government. The Palestinians are struggling with survival in an area burdened by economic hardship and volatile politics. It is not the Palestinians' custom, nor is it in their interests to harm or abduct foreigners or journalists. In recent months, small splinter groups have kidnapped a handful of foreigners in Gaza; all have been released quickly in exchange for money or government favours.
Alan Johnston has reported not only the news, but the back-stories of daily challenges of life for Gaza residents. Without his voice informing the Western media, many stories will go unreported. Palestinian journalists have been protesting Johnston's disappearance for several weeks, in daily demonstrations of solidarity and strikes. The BBC, Sky News, Al Jazeera and CNN have hosted simultaneous appeals about Johnson's whereabouts. The reporter was abducted as he returned home March 12 from his Gaza office.
The BBC has issued a statement saying it is deeply concerned about the latest news. "But we stress that at this stage," it says, "it is rumour with no independent verification." The Palestinian Authority said it had no information confirming Johnston's fate.
Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat urged those holding Johnston to free him. "Such despicable acts of abducting foreign journalists and others continue; the only (thing) that this is doing is destroying us as Palestinians, destroying the just cause of the Palestinian people," he told reporters. "So I urge those who abducted Johnston, instead of circulating rumours - and I hope these rumours are only rumours - is to release him immediately and without any conditions."
A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London said they were urgently looking into the latest reports about Johnston. The splinter group claiming to have killed Alan Johnston is little known in Palestinian areas, the BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said.
Alan Johnston has been the only Western reporter permanently based in Gaza. He had been preparing to leave once his three-year placement finished at the end of March.
I've been thinking about him a lot today. I don't know where he is or in what state, but I wish him peace wherever he is.
I've been on a wee jaunt around London and Bournemouth and missed your blog for a week. Lovely to catch up with all those fabulous photos.
x
Posted by: Frida | 20 April 2007 at 00:30
Sad thing...such a hard time for news in the world, it seems.
Love,
D.
Posted by: Delia | 17 April 2007 at 15:44
I prayed for him & his family and thought of you as I saw the lastest update tonight on BBC World ... continued prayers, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 17 April 2007 at 08:50
How even more tragic his kidnapping is - coming just before he was to finally come home...
Continuing to keep him in my prayers, Tara.
XOXO
Posted by: tinker | 17 April 2007 at 07:59
The pacifist's task today is to find a method of helping and healing which provides a revolutionary constructive substitute for war.
Vera Brittain
We shall pray for Alan and the world....
Peace Sherrie
Posted by: giggles | 17 April 2007 at 07:04
Will keep Alan and his family in my thoughts and prayers...
Posted by: Deb Lewis | 17 April 2007 at 01:54
saying a prayer...............
there was an extensive news story on the CBC about Johnston on the weekend and it seemed hopeful given the support and pressure from the Palestinians.....I hadn't heard the latest.
praying its a rumour.
what a sick world.
Posted by: awareness | 17 April 2007 at 01:36
I hope the rumor is completely untrue and Alan is home with his family very soon. CNN is now reporting a massacre at Virginia Tech with 31 people shot and killed, many injuries. The gunman was shot and killed. What is becoming of our world?
Posted by: martina | 16 April 2007 at 23:10
Strong words about a brave and strong man.
Thanks Tara. Your blog is important.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 16 April 2007 at 22:28
There was no purpose in abducting him, unless it was to damage the Palestinians.
Meanwhile, I pray it is only rumor and there is hope yet.
Posted by: Colette | 16 April 2007 at 20:23
It is so sad to think of such atrocities. Man's inhumanity to man. It all seems so unnecessary. Have you heard the terrible news today from the states... More than 22 people have been killed in a shooting rampage at Virginia Tech. Why do people have to murder someone they don't even know.... in both of these cases?
Posted by: pam aries | 16 April 2007 at 19:47
My prayers are with him and his family. I'm glad Palestine is pleading for his release because it will hurt them. I'm hoping it's a rumor.
Normandy, I can't wait to see it! XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 16 April 2007 at 19:37
I am sickened by these despicable acts, and they continue to happen over and over. There is simply no excuse. We should all hold Alan up in prayer. My prayers also go out to his family, friends and loved ones. I can only imagine the grief they are struggling with.
Posted by: cheeky | 16 April 2007 at 19:30
I have just come from the BBC website and on their home page there isn't even a mention of Alan Johnston but they do have a headline about Prince William splitting from his girlfriend - as if we care.
Posted by: Di Overton | 16 April 2007 at 19:16
What a mess. I pray for him.
:(
Posted by: Amber | 16 April 2007 at 18:31
Thank you for this post Tara! Of course he is in our minds and hearts! and we hope he will be liberated soon.
Posted by: Catalina | 16 April 2007 at 15:37
Thank you for sharing more information about this here; I need to work harder on keeping abreast of the details of this kind of terrible situation. I am praying that these are only rumors and that Mr. Johnston will still be brought safely home...
Posted by: Alice | 16 April 2007 at 15:12
I have said a prayer for Alan, hoping against all odds for a happy outcome.
Posted by: meredith | 16 April 2007 at 09:19
I was so sad to read this ... it's a devastating blow for the Palestinian people if it's true.
Meanwhile, I hope you're experiencing the same weather we're having in Belgium ... 26oC yesterday, and it's looking like the same kind of heat today ... enjoy your travels.
Posted by: Di | 16 April 2007 at 08:24
Tara, thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'll hold Alan --- and everyone so adversely affected by this horrible situation --- in my heart and in the light.
Posted by: KG | 16 April 2007 at 03:23