Yet Another Hostage Video
Keep in mind that such Jihadi tactics have become the international state of the art in psychological warfare. Beheadings are now common practice in Latin American gang/drug warfare. Even in Los Angeles.
THE VIDEO
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH…
THE STORY:
AZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Kidnapped British reporter Alan Johnston appeared Friday in a videotape posted on an Islamic militant Web site, saying his captors had treated him well, denouncing Israel and blasting Britain’s Mideast policy. It was the first sign of life from him since he was abducted almost three months ago.
There was no way to tell when the video was recorded, and it was not clear why his captors chose this time to post it. The British Broadcasting Corp. journalist, who has been covering the Palestinian territories for three years, has a reputation for objectivity, and it seemed likely he was reciting what he was told to say.
The videotape appeared on the Al-Ekhlaas Web site, frequently used by Islamic militants. It bore the logo of the Army of Islam, the shadowy Palestinian group that had been believed to be holding the 45-year-old reporter.
Johnston looked fit and calm during the three minutes he spoke.
“My captors have treated me very well, they’ve fed me well, there has been no violence towards me at all and I am in good health,” he said in his opening remarks—then launched into a diatribe against Israel and British Mideast policy.
“In three years here in the Palestinian territories I witnessed the huge suffering of the Palestinian people, and my message is that the suffering is continuing and it is unacceptable,” he said, blaming Israel.
He blamed Britain and the U.S. for causing suffering in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories, and for “occupying Muslim lands against the will of the people in those places.”
Johnston skewered Britain for its role in Israel’s creation on land the British once administered, calling Israel “the cause of all the suffering of the Palestinian people.”
“We the British are completely to blame, along with the Americans, for the situation in Iraq,” he added, while “the British are the main force in Aghanistan, causing all the trouble to all the simple Afghans who simply want to live.”
He started giving a message to his family, but was cut off. Subtitles then appeared on the videotape, saying, “The BBC refused to take this message to his family.”
Johnston was shown seated from the waist up, wearing what looked like a red sweatshirt, and speaking against a black backdrop.
Britain’s Foreign Office said it was aware of media reports and investigating the claims. “We are urgently investigating these reports,” said a spokesman, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
British officials were studying the video, the Foreign Office spokesman said, but “it is far too early to say whether this is a recent tape or to make any further comment.”
“We are aware of the reports and we are investigating urgently,” said Simon Wilson, the BBC bureau chief in Jerusalem.
The company planned to issue a statement later Friday, a BBC spokesman in London said.
Last week, an aide to Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Johnston was alive and well, and could soon be released.
On April 15th, a previously unknown group said they killed him, but Palestinian officials dismissed that claim.
He has been missing far longer than any foreigner kidnapped in Gaza, and his disappearance has touched off numerous protests and solidarity marches in London and the Palestinian territories.
The Army of Islam released a 20-minute recording recently, showing a picture of Johnston’s press card and demanding the release of a radical Islamist held in a British jail.
The British government has said it would not make any deals to secure the journalist’s release.
Palestinian officials have said they knew where to find Johnston, but have held back on raiding the hideout at Britain’s request, for fear of harming him.
The Palestinian government has instead tried to negotiate with the captors.
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Boy the terrorist are desperate arent they. we got them on the ropes. This was the most laughable, uncompelling propaganda yet. Were any of you convinced that the captured brit believed a word of what he was saying.
Again how do we take seriously those who use words such as “allah is all powerful” and threaten to do this and that to us, while at the same time proclaim themselves as helpless victims who just want to be allowed to live in peace. I litterally laughed outloud when i saw this video.
This poor sap will likely have his throat slashed, but the losers who kidnapped him are weak as can be. I just want to tell them , the only way to overcome your “oppressor” is to stop thinking of yourself as “oppressed” by outsiders and realize your oppression comes from muhammed and your own mind. then findit in yourself the strength to drop your weapons, and ask for help to receive skills or learn a trade.
in other words get a life, flush the koran down the toilet, and use your brain for once!
June 1st, 2007 at 2:59 amsorry to say this but that brit journo had it coming. He spent 3 years in the gaza commenting to the bbc in the only way the beeb knows,for the terrorists and against the western world.
June 1st, 2007 at 4:15 amI dont think that he was reading a prep statement, i really believe that he belived all this shit about his own country and the US and hes making the video to enhance him image with the worthless terrorists.
In Aussie we call them pommy bastards.Choose your own.
This guy sure had it coming. When you spend your life standing up for what you believe in and risking your neck everyday just to try to lessen the ignorance of the masses sitting on their couches watching Idol, this is an appropriate end. To be kidnapped, used for propeganda and most likely killed.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:06 am-the masses are in-no-ra-moose
-the “journalist” gives the soldier free speech
-islam is the “religion of peace”
-the Palestinians want to live “peacefully” with the jews nextdoor
all said with deep sarcasm
June 1st, 2007 at 9:45 amwhat’s w/ the last bit of copy in the original top post page (in the caption)???
beheadings… “Even in Los Angeles”
has there REALLY been a rise in beheadings in the drug/gang trade as well? So the terrorist & muslim ways are becoming trendy now?
June 4th, 2007 at 4:07 pm