This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6590335.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Mid-East demo for BBC's Johnston Demonstrations for BBC's Johnston
(9 minutes later)
A rally has been held by journalists at the main crossing point between Israel and the Gaza Strip over the kidnapping of BBC reporter Alan Johnston. A rally for kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston has been held by the National Union of Journalists in London.
The union demanded that more resources are devoted to secure the release of Mr Johnston, 44, who was abducted by gunmen more than six weeks ago.
Earlier, a rally was held by journalists at the main crossing point between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Members of the Foreign Press Association in Israel gathered on both sides of the Erez checkpoint.Members of the Foreign Press Association in Israel gathered on both sides of the Erez checkpoint.
On the Palestinian side, journalists, photographers and cameramen chanted "Free, free Alan!". The London vigil, backed by the International Federation of Journalists, was held outside the Palestinian General Delegation office.
The 44-year-old BBC Gaza correspondent has not been seen since he was abducted by gunmen more than six weeks ago. NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear said: "We will not cease until Alan is free to rejoin his friends and family and resume his life as an internationally respected BBC journalist."
Alan is the only foreign correspondent living full time in the Gaza Strip. In doing so for three years he showed his personal commitment and that of the BBC to report the story of Gaza and its people in a fair and balanced way Simon McGregor-WoodForeign Press Association chairman
"All our efforts have been to bring pressure to bear on the authorities, not only to work hard to secure Alan's safety and release but to address the threats to all journalists in the region and to enable them to work free from the threat of kidnap, intimidation and threats."
On Monday Mr Dear joined MPs, community leaders and London Mayor Ken Livingstone in a live appeal on Arab TV channel Al-Hiwar for the correspondent's release.
PressurePressure
During a rally in the Gaza Strip, journalists, photographers and cameramen chanted "Free, free Alan!".
At the checkpoint, protesters called on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya to take action to ensure he is released.At the checkpoint, protesters called on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya to take action to ensure he is released.
Alan is the only foreign correspondent living full time in the Gaza Strip. In doing so for three years he showed his personal commitment and that of the BBC to report the story of Gaza and its people in a fair and balanced way Simon McGregor-WoodForeign Press Association chairman "Alan is the only foreign correspondent living full time in the Gaza Strip," said Foreign Press Association chairman Simon McGregor-Wood. "Alan is the only foreign correspondent living full time in the Gaza Strip," said Foreign Press Association chairman Simon McGregor-Wood.
"In doing so for three years he showed his personal commitment and that of the BBC to report the story of Gaza and its people in a fair and balanced way," he added."In doing so for three years he showed his personal commitment and that of the BBC to report the story of Gaza and its people in a fair and balanced way," he added.
THE EDITORS' BLOG A big part of our effort has been to keep the issue in the public eye Jonathan Baker,deputy head, BBC Newsgathering Jonathan's comments in full
The BBC's deputy head of newsgathering, Jonathan Baker, also on the Israeli side of Erez crossing, said he was making a direct plea to those who are holding Mr Johnston to release him immediately.The BBC's deputy head of newsgathering, Jonathan Baker, also on the Israeli side of Erez crossing, said he was making a direct plea to those who are holding Mr Johnston to release him immediately.
"His only offence has been to expose himself to personal danger because of his strong desire to bring the story of Gaza to the outside world," he said."His only offence has been to expose himself to personal danger because of his strong desire to bring the story of Gaza to the outside world," he said.
Since Mr Johnston's abduction there have been widespread protests in the UK, in Israel and in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.Since Mr Johnston's abduction there have been widespread protests in the UK, in Israel and in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
THE EDITORS' BLOG A big part of our effort has been to keep the issue in the public eye Jonathan Baker,deputy head, BBC Newsgathering class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2007/04/maintaining_pressure.html">Jonathan's comments in full Journalists from Gaza, the Middle East and a range of other countries have backed calls from the BBC and other UK media for his release. Journalists from Gaza, the Middle East and a range of other countries have backed calls from the BBC and other UK media for his release.
In the UK, the National Union of Journalists is to hold a vigil to press for Mr Johnston's release.
The vigil, backed by the International Federation of Journalists, will take place outside the offices of the Palestinian General Delegation in Hammersmith, London, at 1230 (1130 GMT).
High standingHigh standing
Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory.He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory.
The BBC's Middle East correspondent, Tim Franks, says the deep frustration among journalists, both locals and outsiders, is not just because of Alan Johnston's high standing, but also because the kidnapping reflects Gaza's descent into lawlessness. BBC Middle East correspondent Tim Franks says the deep frustration among journalists, both locals and outsiders, is not just because of Alan Johnston's high standing, but also because the kidnapping reflects Gaza's descent into lawlessness.
That in turn has meant the Gaza Strip has become almost a no-go area for foreign journalists, our correspondent says.That in turn has meant the Gaza Strip has become almost a no-go area for foreign journalists, our correspondent says.
On Monday Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Azzam al-Ahmad said his office had information that "indicates that Johnston is in good health".On Monday Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Azzam al-Ahmad said his office had information that "indicates that Johnston is in good health".
A previously unknown militant group said more than a week ago that it had killed the correspondent, but the BBC and Palestinian officials have said they have been unable to verify the claim.A previously unknown militant group said more than a week ago that it had killed the correspondent, but the BBC and Palestinian officials have said they have been unable to verify the claim.
A BBC News website petition has now registered more than 50,000 names in support of Mr Johnston.A BBC News website petition has now registered more than 50,000 names in support of Mr Johnston.