Palestinian journalists demonstrated in Gaza during the weekend to call for the safe return of abducted BBC correspondent Alan Johnston. There has been no word on his whereabouts since he went missing last week.
The journalists were joined by Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti and BBC’s Middle East bureau chief, Simon Wilson. Palestinian security officials say Johnston was kidnapped from his car by masked gunmen on Monday last.
The demonstration, which took place Saturday while the council was meeting for a vote of confidence on the new Hamas-led coalition, managed to draw the attention of many legislators and foreign diplomats, the Jerusalem Post reported.
The protesters called on the new Palestinian government to work toward ending the state of lawlessness and anarchy in Palestinian Authority-controlled areas. They condemned recurring abductions of foreign journalists in the Gaza Strip, saying such actions tarnished the image of the Palestinians.
Barghouti, who addressed the demonstrators, called for taking severe measures against those involved in the kidnappings. He said all the parties represented in the new coalition would stress the need to restore law and order.
“We are opposed to the kidnapping of foreign journalists who serve the Palestinian cause,” he added, acording to the Post. “In the coming year we will all witness changes to the better as the government starts functioning.”
Shahdi Kashef, editor-in-chief of the independent Ramattan News Agency, said in a message to the Palestinian legislators that he and his colleagues were fed up with having to live “under the constant threat of weapons.” He warned that Palestinian journalists would announce a series of measures to step up the pressure on the government to restore law and order.
Others speakers at the event hailed the BBC correspondent as a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and peace and called on the kidnappers to release him immediately.
‘‘We have had no firm information about Alan’s whereabouts since he left our office here in Gaza on Monday afternoon,’’ BBC Middle East Bureau Editor Simon Wilson said in a brief statement to Palestinian and foreign journalists. ‘‘We would therefore urge everyone with influence here to continue their efforts, so that Alan may be reunited with his family and colleagues at the earliest opportunity.’
Wilson thanked the Palestinian journalists for their support for Johnston and spoke of the high regard in which they held him. “It is clear to us that in Gaza, Alan is regarded as a Gaza journalist foremost and a foreign journalist second.” He again called on anyone with information that could help resolve the situation to come forward.
