Has the BBC’s Alan Johnston Been ‘Executed?’
Has the BBC’s Alan Johnston been murdered by Palestinian terrorists?
YnetNews:
BBC reporter Alan Johnston has been killed by an al-Qaeda affilated Palestinian organization, according to an internet statement obtained by Ynetnews. The statement was signed by the Palestinian Jihad and Tawheed Brigades, an organization named after an Iraqi al-Qaeda group.
Responding to the statement, the BBC said it is “aware of these reports — but we have no independent verification of them. We are deeply concerned about what we are hearing — but we stress, at this stage, it is rumour with no independent verification.”
In the message, the group said the British and Palestinian governments were responsible for Johnston’s killing, and vowed to release a video of the execution.
Palestinian Authority security officials said Sunday they could neither confirm nor deny reports that kidnapped BBC correspondent Alan Johnston had been executed by his captors in the Gaza Strip.
A hitherto unknown group, calling itself the Tawheed and Jihad Brigades in Palestine, announced in a leaflet that was distributed in Gaza that its members had killed Johnston because of Israel’s refusal to release Palestinian prisoners.
The group, which PA security officials said was linked to al-Qaida, promised to release a video showing the execution of Johnston, 44, who was kidnapped in Gaza City more than a month ago.
The BBC voices concern at reports that reporter Alan Johnston is dead, but stresses there is no verification.
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15 Responses to “Has the BBC’s Alan Johnston Been ‘Executed?’”
What is Christian Amanpour worth now, $15-$30 million? When is the last time you saw her any where near danger?
Thats why they does this work. Fame and Fortune, then the easy life. Some make it, some don’t, some die. Its their choice. So cut with the hero crap.
WA,
Do you even realize how offensive that post is?
Killling an ENGLISH news journalist because ISRAELI government officials wont release PALESTINIAN prisoners…
Sad to say, I’m beginning to believe he really doesn’t know.
I don’t condone the murder or execution of anyone (except perhaps OBL), but it makes some sense. The US/UK/Israel are seen as an allied unit.
Chris said:
It doesn’t make sense to me, Chris. It is not obviously to anyone’s advantage in the interlocking gangs & militias of the Palestinian territories to kill someone who reporting, and that of his organization, was generally favourable to Palestine.
Something else is going on here, I suspect. Most probably, an intra-Palestinian struggle, with someone fronting the gang to undermine the authority of the Palestinian administration. Less likely, just a ransom kidnapping gone bad (which may explain the lack of propaganda demands for so long).
This will certainly give the Palestinian/Arab cause a black eye for a day or so in the UK, until the default clicks back in.
I said:
Well, I was wrong…it did not take any time at all for the anti-Israel default in the UK media to kick back in:
“Not on the agenda”…a Palestinian group kidnaps, threatens to kill (and now seemingly has murdered) a British journalist…and the British journalist union calls for sanctions against…Israel!!!
Michael…what were you saying about the decline of Britain the other day?
There must be some way to blame Israel for this. In the meantime, I hope British journalists aren’t shy about visiting Gaza.
surely the israelis did this!
why, it couldnt possibly be the palistinians.
the israelis are kidnapping journalists everyday and killing them by the truckload.
maybe the palistinians were forced to kill alan, because the israelis told them they had to do it.
what a load of crap, bunch of nonsense, and anyone who thinks for a minute that it’s safe to be a journalist in any arab country needs to see the doctor quickly.
you are NUTS.
alan should have known better, when you sleep with dogs you get fleas.
these people are completely out of control.
no law and order.
no repsect for law and order.
thugs, gangsters and desert mentality will remain this way forever.
the culture is extortion, bribery, thievery, lies, corruption.
CAN I SAY IT IN ANY OTHERWAY.
STAY——-A-W-A-Y.
or you will risk these consequences
Jim Satterfield- Right, its all about your undying desire to tell a story. Ok, fine. Then do it for minimum wage. Like an infantry private.
What’s a reporter anyway but a borderline psychotic that will do anything, crush anybody, lie, steal, whatever for that special story? The one that launches the big career….or preserves it.
But even if that reporter was the most honest, forth-right reporter ever born, why should any reporter ever even consider themselves immune or “neutral”..? That part just blows me away.
Ever read about any Japanese reporters here in the U.S. filing stories in Tokyo during WWII? Didn’t think so.
Jim- Me niether. heh heh heh
Hello,
I am a BBC reporter stationed outside the UK and felt it was important to post a response to your comments. Alan Johnson is a friend of mine.
You could not be more wrong in your assessment of Alan’ s motivation. Like many journalists at the BBC World Service radio station, Alan earns surprisingly little and has dedicated his life to his work. His aim is simply to give a truthful and accurate account of events – and to speak loudly for people who are suffering.
BBC Journalist
I think you will find most of the people at Moderate Voice deeply concerned by his abduction and I for one hope and pray for his safety and safe return.
and to speak loudly for people who are suffering.
Admirable. It seems the good die young. Those who would benefit the Thugs the most are always the first to pay the price. There never is any justice in war.
Good reader remarks here.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3388215,00.html
The reason why the Call for Lifesaving Petition of the BBC Gaza correspondent is abruptly closed
http://exodus.exblog.jp/5474652/
Trilateral-Loss-Judgment on the Fate of Missing BBC Reporter by the Chief of South Magistrate Office
http://exodus.exblog.jp/5528086/