Palestinian journalists strike over abducted reporter

[oberliner]

Palestinian journalists began a three-day strike on Monday to press the government to exert more efforts to release 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 planned to boycott Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh’s cabinet meeting and other events.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3384106,00.html

[ProgressiveMuslim]

1. Good for them! n/t

[Douglas Carpenter]

2. Palestinian journalist's letter to Alan Johnston

link:

http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article6743.shtml

"Sami Abu Salem lives in Jabalia Refugee Camp and works as an English news and features writer at the Palestine News Agency (WAFA). He has also worked at the International Press Center of the Palestinian Authority State Information Service, and works as a freelance writer for local newspapers, focusing on literature and arts. This letter has been edited for clarity."

"Dear Alan,

From the depth of our hearts, I would like to say that we are really shocked and terribly sorry for what has been happening to you.

snip:"Johnston, we are in need of you, because you are not one of those who come to Gaza for a couple of hours or days to write a report while a taxi is waiting for them at Eretz checkpoint.

Hence, we are in need of you to be close to us and do what we used to: taste our warm food, enjoy the azure in the new coming spring after a "hot winter", witness the unendurable suffering of mothers and the soft smiles of children, and smell the breeze of Gaza's sea. I believe that such things come easy to you since you have become one of us.

Three years in Gaza. Your presence and quiet smile have become a part of the journalistic community. They have become a part of the Shawwa and Hosari building. Every time I use the building, I remember you dressed in blue, your smile and warm greetings, and I cannot stop the tears which slowly fall."

snip:"Johnston, all citizens, including your friends in Gaza, including myself, pray to God for your safety and for your quick return to your family and to your homeland, simply because you are fellow human, a close friend, a dear colleague and a respected guest in Palestine, and because you are Alan Johnston.

Yours,
Sami Abu Salem,
Journalist,
Gaza "

link to full letter/article:

http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article6743.shtml