Palestinian journalists strike over abducted reporter

JERUSALEM – Palestinian journalists began a three-day strike on Monday to press the government to do more to secure the release of a British journalist abducted in the Gaza Strip last month.

BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, seized on March 12 while driving his car, has been held captive longer than any other journalist in the coastal strip. There has been no public word on his fate despite Palestinian government pledges to find him.In Gaza, journalists boycotted Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh’s cabinet meeting on Monday.A statement in Arabic issued by the Palestinian foreign ministry said that British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett had sent a message of support through Palestinian Foreign Minister Ziad Abu Amr.”I am thankful for the assurances you have given …about the efforts that are being exerted by the (Palestinian) government to secure (Alan Johnston’s) release in the earliest time possible,” part of the statement read.In the West Bank city of Ramallah, dozens of local and foreign journalists held posters of Johnston and banners that read: “Free Alan Johnston”.”This is unacceptable for us…We will boycott coverage of (President Mahmoud) Abbas if Johnston is not released,” said Majed Said, a correspondent for the Abu Dhabi satellite news channel.Johnston, who has been the BBC’s Gaza correspondent for three years, is believed to be the only Western journalist still based there full-time following a series of abductions of foreign journalists and aid workers in Gaza in the past year.Nampa-ReutersThere has been no public word on his fate despite Palestinian government pledges to find him.In Gaza, journalists boycotted Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh’s cabinet meeting on Monday.A statement in Arabic issued by the Palestinian foreign ministry said that British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett had sent a message of support through Palestinian Foreign Minister Ziad Abu Amr.”I am thankful for the assurances you have given …about the efforts that are being exerted by the (Palestinian) government to secure (Alan Johnston’s) release in the earliest time possible,” part of the statement read.In the West Bank city of Ramallah, dozens of local and foreign journalists held posters of Johnston and banners that read: “Free Alan Johnston”.”This is unacceptable for us…We will boycott coverage of (President Mahmoud) Abbas if Johnston is not released,” said Majed Said, a correspondent for the Abu Dhabi satellite news channel.Johnston, who has been the BBC’s Gaza correspondent for three years, is believed to be the only Western journalist still based there full-time following a series of abductions of foreign journalists and aid workers in Gaza in the past year.Nampa-Reuters