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Palestinians 'united' on Johnston | Palestinians 'united' on Johnston |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A senior Palestinian figure has said all factions are united in condemning the abduction of the BBC's Gaza correspondent, Alan Johnston. | A senior Palestinian figure has said all factions are united in condemning the abduction of the BBC's Gaza correspondent, Alan Johnston. |
Saeb Erekat, adviser to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, said military action would be justified to free him. | |
His comments followed the release on Friday of a video of Mr Johnston, the first since his abduction on 12 March. | His comments followed the release on Friday of a video of Mr Johnston, the first since his abduction on 12 March. |
Mr Johnston's parents welcomed the video, in which he says he is in good health and is being treated well. | Mr Johnston's parents welcomed the video, in which he says he is in good health and is being treated well. |
Graham and Margaret Johnston said the video, reportedly posted on the internet by the Army of Islam group, had given them "renewed hope". | Graham and Margaret Johnston said the video, reportedly posted on the internet by the Army of Islam group, had given them "renewed hope". |
"He looked well," Mr Johnston's father said. "Apparently he has been well cared for as he said, although I have to say it is very distressing to see him in such circumstances." | "He looked well," Mr Johnston's father said. "Apparently he has been well cared for as he said, although I have to say it is very distressing to see him in such circumstances." |
"I would just hope this maybe is the end game. We hope and pray it is." | "I would just hope this maybe is the end game. We hope and pray it is." |
Prime Minister Tony Blair, on a visit to South Africa, said the British government was doing everything it possibly could to secure his release. | Prime Minister Tony Blair, on a visit to South Africa, said the British government was doing everything it possibly could to secure his release. |
A BBC statement read: "This is a highly distressing time for them and for his friends and his colleagues. We repeat our call for his immediate release." | A BBC statement read: "This is a highly distressing time for them and for his friends and his colleagues. We repeat our call for his immediate release." |
Demands | Demands |
On the video, Mr Johnston, seated and wearing a red sweatshirt, said his captors had treated him very well. | On the video, Mr Johnston, seated and wearing a red sweatshirt, said his captors had treated him very well. |
ALAN JOHNSTON PETITION More than 130,000 people have written to the BBC to demand Alan Johnston's release Add your name Send messages of support Show support on your blog | ALAN JOHNSTON PETITION More than 130,000 people have written to the BBC to demand Alan Johnston's release Add your name Send messages of support Show support on your blog |
"They have fed me well, there has been no violence towards me at all and I'm in good health," he said. | "They have fed me well, there has been no violence towards me at all and I'm in good health," he said. |
He also called for an end to Western sanctions that have been imposed on the Palestinian government. | He also called for an end to Western sanctions that have been imposed on the Palestinian government. |
"Everyday there are Palestinians arrested, imprisoned for no reason. People are killed on a daily basis. The economic suffering is terrible, especially here in Gaza." | "Everyday there are Palestinians arrested, imprisoned for no reason. People are killed on a daily basis. The economic suffering is terrible, especially here in Gaza." |
Mr Johnston also said the British government was working to occupy Muslim lands, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, against the will of the people there. | Mr Johnston also said the British government was working to occupy Muslim lands, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, against the will of the people there. |
At the end of the tape, the Army of Islam demanded the release of Abu Qatada, a Palestinian-born Islamic cleric who is suspected of close links to al-Qaeda and is currently held by the UK government as a threat to national security. | At the end of the tape, the Army of Islam demanded the release of Abu Qatada, a Palestinian-born Islamic cleric who is suspected of close links to al-Qaeda and is currently held by the UK government as a threat to national security. |
'Military operation' | 'Military operation' |
In an interview with BBC's Newsnight programme, Mr Erekat said he believed the video was a "proof of life", but also that the BBC journalist was speaking under duress. | In an interview with BBC's Newsnight programme, Mr Erekat said he believed the video was a "proof of life", but also that the BBC journalist was speaking under duress. |
ARMY OF ISLAM FACTS Small, Islamist armed group operating in GazaSplinter group of the Popular Resistance CommitteesSeeks liberation of Palestine and an Islamic stateInfluenced by, but not affiliated with, al-QaedaLed by Mumtaz Dugmush, also known as Abu Muhammad, a member of a powerful clanOne of three groups allegedly holding captured Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit Video: Full transcript | ARMY OF ISLAM FACTS Small, Islamist armed group operating in GazaSplinter group of the Popular Resistance CommitteesSeeks liberation of Palestine and an Islamic stateInfluenced by, but not affiliated with, al-QaedaLed by Mumtaz Dugmush, also known as Abu Muhammad, a member of a powerful clanOne of three groups allegedly holding captured Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit Video: Full transcript |
"To have him say what he said today in a tape which was circulated the world over, I believe this harms the Palestinian cause," he said. | "To have him say what he said today in a tape which was circulated the world over, I believe this harms the Palestinian cause," he said. |
Mr Erekat said the Palestinian Authority did not know anything about the Army of Islam, or its alleged leaders, the Dugmush clan. | Mr Erekat said the Palestinian Authority did not know anything about the Army of Islam, or its alleged leaders, the Dugmush clan. |
"These people are nothing more than gangsters," he added. "I don't think they are linked to anyone." | "These people are nothing more than gangsters," he added. "I don't think they are linked to anyone." |
Nevertheless, he said Mr Abbas was exerting pressure on his cabinet and all the Palestinian factions to ensure Mr Johnston's release. | Nevertheless, he said Mr Abbas was exerting pressure on his cabinet and all the Palestinian factions to ensure Mr Johnston's release. |
"Fatah, Hamas, all the factions, the president, the prime minister, in this particular case, they see eye to eye," Mr Erekat said. | "Fatah, Hamas, all the factions, the president, the prime minister, in this particular case, they see eye to eye," Mr Erekat said. |
"We are all unified as far as condemning this despicable and shameful act." | "We are all unified as far as condemning this despicable and shameful act." |
Mr Erekat said the current situation could not be tolerated and that the government simply had to act. | Mr Erekat said the current situation could not be tolerated and that the government simply had to act. |
"We must really determine where his location is, and then move... even if it takes a military or a security operation," he said. | "We must really determine where his location is, and then move... even if it takes a military or a security operation," he said. |
Mr Johnston, 45, was the only Western reporter permanently based in Gaza and his abduction has triggered appeals for his release from lawmakers and rights groups around the world. | Mr Johnston, 45, was the only Western reporter permanently based in Gaza and his abduction has triggered appeals for his release from lawmakers and rights groups around the world. |
More than 130,000 people have now signed an online petition calling for his release. | More than 130,000 people have now signed an online petition calling for his release. |
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