, Alan Johnston, may have been murdered. Adloyada has more.
Mr Johnston’s reporting from Gaza has been criticised on this blog several times. Some commenters have said that they have little or no sympathy for him because of their opposition to his views.
After 9/11, so many people said that if this or that happened “the terrorists will have won” that the phrase became a laughing stock. But there was a core of truth in that phrase before it was damaged by over-use. If we fail, on political grounds, to feel sympathy for and outrage on behalf of a person who has been kidnapped and may have been murdered, it is a victory for the terrorists.
“The whole world made so much noise about this foreign journalist….” the declaration said.
Above quote from Adloyada.
Following the release of the 15 British hostages in Iran it was clear how upset the Iranians became when “so much noise” was made at the UN & in Brussels. And, correct me if I am wrong, but as soon as this sensitiveness was recognised, changes in the negotiations were made, American politicians were requested not to comment and remain “quiet” so as not to aggravate the Iranians, as all diplomatic routes were pursued.
Contrast this approach with that of the BBCs organizing demonstrations, and enlisting Palestinians to demonstrate as well. Imagine if demos had been organised by the British government in Iran to further their cause?
Of course the BBC used every opportunity to hold press conferences and publicise the kidnapping, claiming that the journalist was a “friend” and, apparently, with their heads up their own diversity backsides, somehow AJ was no longer a simple Western Journalist. He was transformed into the BBCs very own Mother Theresa in Gaza. But was this the right approach? What sensitive side of the Jihadi mindset were the BBC actually appealing to? All of this „noise” and press activity clearly upset the terrorists. One wonders if a different, less provocative approach, indeed, “a quieter route” had been taken, ie. no BBC demonstrations or Mark Thompson parachuted into the war zone and intervening, if a very different outcome could have been obtained.
Can we await a BBC inquiry now?
Hi Natalie
A very interesting link there, however regarding the attitudes towards AJ by B-BBC is worth noting.
http://adloyada.typepad.com/adloyada/2007/04/bbcs_alan_johns.html
I’m afraid while I have every empathy with Mr Johnstone and family, it should not allow us to be distracted from the central argument regarding BBC output ESPECAILLY within the ME and reports regarding ‘militant Islam’. I would go further and say it is NOW that B-BBC needs to ask the questions because as a publicly financed broadcaster it MUST stand up to outside scrutiny
The BBC has consistently not been forthcoming regarding this story as myself and others have described. We’ve had Director General Mark Thompson acting like Kissinger and plenty of ‘heart felt messages’ but a lack of transparency that is not acceptable in any other aspect of public service seems to be the norm when regarding Al Beeb stories . It now appears that the ‘moderate’ stance of the BBC regarding this affair has now left one dead journalist and NO news “independent” news coverage in Gaza.
Again as highlighted by the ‘frightened 15’ story-if we are waging a propaganda war then these clownish PC driven PR exercises are seriously damaging the UK health.
Additionally these ‘feelings of outrage’ are rarely shown towards US and UK service personal, Israeli citizens or any other “political incorrect’ group that falls outside Al Beeb’s groupthink.
Perhaps Natalie if the “Champaign socialists” within IBC stopped playing the “We are all Hezbollah now” card then there might be more sympathy-but as the old saying goes ‘you run with the dogs you’re going to get flea’s’.
The terrorists will get their victory anyway – the organisation that their victim belonged to will still spin for them, apologise for them, report how Israel has “traumatised” them.
The anti-Israeli grudges held by BBC staff will be further inflamed by Israel not releasing prisoners, or, simply existing.
No self-examination inside the BBC or change in reporting tone will come from this.
They’ll still try and hide the Balen report from us. They’ll still downplay Palestinian barbarity even if perpetrated by the same people who abducted their colleague.
The terrorists will still get their victory. They’re just too stupid to realise that this was a case of “blue-on-blue” or too savage not to care.
My prayers for Cpl. Gilad Shalit.
John
I agree-time for a public enquiry regarding BBC Current Affairs output….
Meanwhile in the Gaza Strip, these sort of stories seem to slip through the fingers of the BBC:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1176152796059&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
“Three explosions rocked Gaza City early Sunday, damaging two Internet cafes and a Christian bookstore.
No one was hurt and no group claimed responsibility for the blasts, which took place around 3 a.m. local time, Palestinian security officials said. Several similar attacks on Internet cafes and music stores in recent months have been claimed by a little-known extremist Islamic organization calling itself the “Swords of Truth.”
The officials would not speculate on the identity of the attackers behind the Sunday attacks, saying only that the incidents were under investigation. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
Heavy external damage was visible at the three stores. At the bookstore, which is funded by American Protestants and known as the Bible Society, a number of books were also burned in the explosion.
In recent months, about three dozen Internet cafes and shops selling pop music have been attacked in the Gaza Strip, with assailants detonating small bombs outside businesses at night, causing damage but no injuries. Palestinian security officials have said they suspect a secret “vice squad” of Muslim militants.”
Maybe if the Balen report had been released it would have been easier to convince the savages who abducted Johnston that he was a friend on the Palestinians?
Apologies if repost….
Meawhile are Alan’s journo friends in NUJ busy condeming the Gaza terrorists……? err no of course not, too busy condeming evil Israel!
NUJ votes to boycott Israeli goods
http://media.guardian.co.uk/presspublishing/story/0,,2056879,00.html
“The National Union of Journalists has voted at its annual meeting for a boycott of Israeli goods as part of a protest against last year’s war in Lebanon.”
Did anybody see the dreadful Jeremy Bowen on the BBC morning news today? One thing he said quite took my breath away. He said “the last thing the Palestinians need now” is to be involved in this kind of action.
Oh? Really? Then if it is the last thing they need I strongly suggest they do NOT get involved in it.
Again, we see a Westerner talking about Arabs as though they are mere automata, incapable of acting on their own or judging something good or bad.
Apart from being hugely counter-productive, it is straightforward racism. But, of course, it acceptable racism coz the Beeb says it is.
I am not sure about a public inquiry. Just shut the monstrosity down.
So, with the same logic we should all feel sad when a suicide bomber dies?
Mr. Johnson didn’t put bombs with his own hands, but he put out propaganda and excuses for those who did.
Why should anyone feel sorry for someone like that? And why do the terrorists win if people do not empathize with them when they or their supporters die? Am I missing something?
News24 business reporter joins Sopel & AN Other at the desk. Sopel takes reporter unaware with a “let’s gloat at the weak $” sort of question.
The reporter, off the cuff, tells it like it is. The £ is rising because of inflationary pressures in the UK, leading to firmer expectations of an interest rate rise.
Oops! Dearer mortgages. That shuts up Sopel. He should learn, there’s no such thing as a free gloat.
I’m with imli on this.
In his alive and pre-kidnapped days, Johnston went to great lengths to minimise and downplay kidnapping.
He described the routine kidnappings as just some kind of student prank. A bit of a larff.
And every act of violence or criminality had a ready-made excuse.
I wonder if he will ever see how wrong his reporting was – or is too late ?
I apolgies for the cynical nature of the tone I use but if I was a betting man I would say around about 5:30 GMT we will know more.If going by past experence wouldn’t it be a “news coup extrodinare” to get this published in time for tea.
Islamic terrorist groups are masters of propaganda
Reading what Al Beeb is saying this sadly reads more like an obituary….
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6559619.stm
I fear for the worse.
I too agree with imli, and fear, dear Natalie, that your suggestion that by not feeling sympathy for Alan Johnston we give victory to, and puts us on par with the terrorists “on political grounds”, borders on the political correct just for the sake of it.
I see more and more similarities with the case of Rachel Corrie in the Johnston saga.
It should be remembered that one of her Palestinian “friends” actually stated that she was worth more to them dead than alive – that her death would draw more international attention than a single “Palestinian” death.
And so I fear it is in the case of Alan Johnston. His tour of duty at an end his “friends” in Gaza realised they could no longer rely on him to put a human face on their barbarity and so, if the reports are true, have rewarded him with what is to them the supreme prize – martyrdom.
For all their crocodile tears and pledges to do all they can, for all their “condemnations” and protests, the Palestinian Authority of both Fatah and Hamas are milking this for all it’s worth.
Rachel Corrie, Alan Johnston and others like them are indeed “misguided individuals”, useful idiots, probably people who believe their intentions are good but who in the end are supporters of evil people. To give them sympathy would be the same as to “understand” the suicide bombers, it would mean accepting that they bear no blame for their actions, and that is something I cannot do.
As I’ve said before, I reserve my sympathy for the innocent victims of terror, and while Corrie and Johnston may well be well-intentioned, misguided and naive, that does not make them innocent. They, like anybody else, must accept the consequences of the choices they make.
Imli writes, “And why do the terrorists win if people do not empathize with them when they or their supporters die?”
Because it blurs what should be a sharp division between disagreement – even passionate and bitter disagreement – and violence. It weakens the compact that holds free societies together, the compact that says however much I disapprove of X’s opinions I won’t turn to violence. To weaken and ultimately destroy that compact is the exact aim of terrorism.
And what’s this about him “dying”, as it were a natural process? He is in danger of being killed, having his head sawn off. How is it not a victory for terrorism if people empathize with them when they kill?
How is it not a victory for terrorism if people empathize with them when they kill?
Natalie Solent | 16.04.07 – 4:12 pm
Please do not confuse lack of sympathy for the victim with empathy for the terrorist.
Biodegradable,
Let’s put it this way. I’ve just been lurking at this feminist blog in which the exoneration of the Duke lacrosse team members accused of rape is being discussed. Several commenters are saying versions of “they are privileged white frat boys of the type who invite strippers to their parties so they deserve what happened to them.” In the case of one of the former accused, someone has said that he once hit someone and made homophobic remarks [though I don’t know how much credence to put in that allegation] and so, again, implying that he deserved to be falsely accused of rape.
Fortunately there are some, even among the committed feminists, who are sticking to the old-fashioned idea that the only person who deserves to be accused of rape is a person who is guilty of rape.
Natalie.
I think for not for one moment anybody here supports terrorism or empathize with them.
On the contrary almost all of us have taken a personal stand against Islamic fascism.
Where the apathy lies is that Mr Johnstone has now ended his role as a useful idiot and that the editorial line that HE is responsible has in a small way lead to his demise.
BioD is on the money methinks Natalie.
The two are not separable.
For what it’s worth, this is what I tried to post on the relevant HYS, and which is now past its queue time and therefore probably out (not surprisingly):
“I’m sad and angry. Sad that someone with good intentions came to harm. Angry at those who misled him and in particular the BBC. Alan was only a teenager when, almost three decades ago the BBC began a consistent campaign of misreporting the Middle East, inverting the truth on aggressors and defenders, whitewashing Jihad and blaming its victims. He consequently walked blind into a trap.”
Even if Johnston is one of Hamas’ ‘Useful Idiots’ what possible advantage will accrue to Islamic terrorists by killing him? I can understand why they appreciated Rachel Corrie’s demise bacause that could be blamed on Israel. There is no way that murdering Alan Johnston can be pinned on the IDF. It might just cause the scales to fall from some eyes in Islington and White City mightn’t it?
And I say again- with this wording if you prefer – how is it not a victory for the terrorists if you think it not too bad when they kill, if you sit back and think about whether, ho hum, head-hacking is dreadful in this case but not too bad in this case.
Water it down however you like, the core remains.
No doubt some of the victims in New York, in London, in Bali, Madrid, etc. etc. had their moral failings. Adulterers, maybe? Perhaps some of the New Yorkers were supporters of the IRA? Among those thousands statistically there may even have been murderers.
Would you think it a good thing to run an assessment – in real time, while it was still going on, on which deserved it and didn’t?
Got to go now.
I hate to repeat myself but getting a female journalist to appeal to the Islamist mindset?
“We would like to appeal today to whoever is holding [Alan Johnston] to release him today unharmed,” the BBC’s Beirut correspondent, Kim Ghattas, told media.
We recently witnessed the handling of Faye Turney in Iran, and all took cognizance of the entrenched backward attitude towards women in Muslim societies. So in a climate where a kind of Palestinian Taliban is running amok burning down Internet cafes, etc., torching anything that reminds them of Christendom or European values, who was the idiot that thought it would be a very good idea to get a BBC female journalist to appeal face to face with the Islamist executioners? Like the organized demos with their pathetic pleas yet more crass stupidity in the BBCs approach that appears to think they are dealing with “rational” individuals. I’m afraid that an appeal by Kim Ghattas, if the Jihadists were watching or listening, would be like directly pouring oil on the fire!
Yeah, I’m going to have to disagree with Natalie too. I think she’s confusing the emotional reaction to someone’s death (or the manner of it) with the moral reaction to it • whether it (or the manner of it) is justified. Since the bloke was no worse than a propagandist for the Palestinian cause (who may even have believed that he was reporting fairly) his kidnap and murder are not remotely justifiable. So it is a perfectly correct moral judgement to condemn his kidnap and murder unequivocally. But whether you feel sympathy or not takes you into the realm of emotion. Some people’s deaths hit you hard emotionally, even if you didn’t know them, some people’s deaths you are more or less indifferent to, and some cheer you up. I don’t think it is a sign of giving in to terrorists if you fail to feel sympathy for a man who is kidnapped and murdered. But if you fail to be morally outraged by it, then you’re in trouble.
❓ Why didn’t the BBC send a temporary replacement for Alan Johnston?
❓ When, if ever, will they send another correspondent for Gaza?
Natalie:
how is it not a victory for the terrorists if you think it not too bad when they kill, if you sit back and think about whether, ho hum, head-hacking is dreadful in this case but not too bad in this case.
That’s not at all what I, or anybody else is saying. Terrorist violence is awful in any case, but there is a difference between when the victim is a supporter and defender of the terrorist, or somebody who maybe has never even spared a thought for the terrorist’s aims. I don’t think that it’s “not too bad in this case” – I do think there’s a tragic irony.
Let me put it another way: A few years ago while I was visiting in the UK a young boy was knifed to death at school by a fellow pupil. The victim was a bright, popular, sociable lad from a loving family with a promising future ahead. The murderer was an antisocial, outcast from a broken home. I was astounded to discuss this with a friend who’s only thought was for the “poor lad” who’s disfunctional family life had “forced him” to commit this terrible crime – not a single thought for the victim who, had his life not been snuffed out in such a heartless way could have gone on to great things – instead, the murderer will most likely undergo psychiatric treatment, some youth remand, then go on to spend the rest of his life in and out of prison.
The person I was discussing this with is one of those politically correct people who hold the views they do because it makes them feel good – she is taking an ocean cruise holiday this year rather than flying somewhere, to reduce her carbon footprint!
No doubt some of the victims in New York, in London, in Bali, Madrid, etc. etc. had their moral failings. Adulterers, maybe? Perhaps some of the New Yorkers were supporters of the IRA? Among those thousands statistically there may even have been murderers
Please don’t compare us to the likes of Ward Churchill
CityBlue:
Even if Johnston is one of Hamas’ ‘Useful Idiots’ what possible advantage will accrue to Islamic terrorists by killing him? I can understand why they appreciated Rachel Corrie’s demise bacause that could be blamed on Israel. There is no way that murdering Alan Johnston can be pinned on the IDF
The group that claims to have murdered Johnston have already tied it in with Israel refusing to free terrorists they hold under lock and key in Israel.
Mark my words, if Johnston is indeed dead it won’t be long before people blame Israel for having done nothing to secure his release.
But even if Israel is not blamed Johnston’s kidnapping has secured 5 weeks of constant media attention – compare to coverage of Daniel Pearl.
Remember, we love life, they love death.
You’re comparing Mr. Johnson with the hapless frat boys — are you also willing to say that the stripper should have been OK with being raped?
Where will the trawl through equivalance stop? Will we end up not judging anyone this way for who they are and what they do?
People not sympathising with Mr. Johnson as much as they would with someone innocent is a loss for the terorrists who so far have capitalised on the touchy-feely westerners who open their hearts and wallets to the oppressed. Lately, those wallets and hearts have been closing as it is becoming blindingly clear that terrorists are brutish criminals and not noble freedomfighters. That is not a victory for the terrorists at all!
Back again now.
Imli writes, “– are you also willing to say that the stripper should have been OK with being raped?”
I don’t think you got what I was trying to say. I meant that even if it is true that one of the accused was guilty of affray and homophobic remarks, or all of them were guilty of demeaning attitudes towards women, that did not make him/them deserve to be falsely accused of rape.
Good comment, Anat, and a pity it was not published.
Another example: when I was a left wing university student I remember hearing about the bomb at the Conservative Party conference that killed several senior party members and nearly killed Margaret Thatcher. Although at that time I believed that her economic policies had callously harmed millions of people, I recoiled from the way that a girl a yard away from me said, “pity the bomb missed her.” I had no compunction in judging Thatcher harshly (the fact that I later changed my mind is irrelevant) but in the context of terrorists trying to kill her, I was on her side.
Let me make this clear: No-one deserves to die or otherwise suffer.
What I am saying is that if you play with things that hurt and if you then get hurt you should not expect people to be overly surprised or angry at the tragic event. (compare keeping grizzly bears as pets, most pro trainers who do eventually die to their charges.)
You can call this heartless if you like, but it certainly isn’t gloating!
I wish people would not keep grizzly bears or hang out with terrorists, but, they do, and so, bad things will happen from time to time. It is no big deal and the less fuss is made of such fools, the fewer potential idiots will think that sticking your neck out like that is glamourous. It isn’t. It just is stupid.
Just waiting to hear from ‘sister; Yvonne Ridley, who I am sure has got a speech made up already.
You remember her?
“How can anyone be proud to be British? Britain is the third most hated country in the world. The Union Jack is drenched in the blood of our brothers and sisters across Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine. Our history is steeped in the blood of colonialism, rooted in slavery, brutality, torture, and oppression. And we haven’t had a decent game of soccer since we lifted the World Cup in 1966.”
I was watching an episode of ‘The World At War’ this morning on the Japanese road to war. It was interesting to see how the Japanese people got caught up in a militarist environment where, from kindergarten, they were taught that war was a righteous endeavour. It’s no wonder they behaved so badly towards those they conquered when they had been taught from the cradle that what they were doing was right. How could they behave otherwise? We all want to do what is right, don’t we?
The same applies to the Palestinians. They are taught to hate right from the start. Every radio programme they hear, every book or newspaper they read tells them to hate the Jews. It is not their fault, they believe, that they live in poverty – it is the Jews’. They are a brainwashed people. No wonder they can strap a bomb to themselves and walk onto a bus full of schoolgirls. The dirty Jews had it coming didn’t they? How could they believe otherwise?
But Alan Johnson knows better. He stands half in the shadow of Palestinian hatred and half in the enlightenment of the modern Western world. He knows hate only leads to damnation, yet somehow he can excuse Palestinians for theirs. He knows the situation isn’t black and white, yet he cannot bring himself to say it. He knows the Jews are not to blame but he will never say that.
This is because he and others in the BBC are both the brainwashers and the brainwashed. He’s listened to his colleagues’ propaganda for so long he started to believe it himself. He’s being saying the Palestinians are only reacting to oppression for so long that he forgot to take due care when amongst them. He is the author of his own destruction.
Having said that, I don’t wish him harm and, like Natalie, I have sympathy for his plight. Just not a lot.
It might just cause the scales to fall from some eyes in Islington and White City mightn’t it?
Don’t hold your breath. What happened to Frank “Help me I’m a Muslim” Gardner didn’t cause any scales to fall – it just reinforced old attitudes.
Perhaps there will be some at the BBC who now notice that Gaza City is now less civilised (a great deal more barbaric) than when it was occupied by the Israelis.
I’m with you Natalie. I too was a young leftie, still at school, at the time of the Brighton bomb. My (right wing) father woke me that morning with the news of the attack. Like you my immediate response was total repulsion at what had happened. I then overheard my mother ask my father how I had reacted. He replied: “He said, ‘Fucking hell, the bastards!'” They both seemed relieved by this. I realised they had been worried I would respond in a similar fashion to that girl you heard wish death on Thatcher. Fortunately the dark side wasn’t that strong in me.
I visit Brighton on business every couple of months and I always think of that horrific day when I drive past the Grand Hotel.
I had the same gut reaction – ‘Fucking hell, the bastards!’ – when I heard the news that Alan Johnston may have been killed.
I have come to the conclusion, post 9/11, that nothing, including a nuclear bomb going off in a major city, will alter western intellectuals hatred for their own culture and blind worship of its enemies.
Obviously the BBC did not have the same sick feeling when the IRA tried to kill Mrs Thatcher like most on this post from all political opinions.
“In 1984 I returned to BBC Scotland after covering the Tory conference in Brighton. The IRA had come close to assassinating Margaret Thatcher with a bomb and the country was in shock.
Apart, that is, from some of my BBC colleagues. “Pity they missed the bitch,” one confided to me. ”
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23385944-details/What+is+the+loneliest+job+in+Britain+Being+a+Tory+at+the+BBC/article.do
I personally have a great deal of sympathy with Alan Johnstone and his family. I am naïve enough to think that the BBC may learn lessons from this episode in trying to defend the indefensible.
There are a few here who are assuming that the BBC will blame Israel if the reporter is killed.
Where do they get their ideas?
Maybe commenters at MPACUK will help them …
Why isn’t anyone looking at the obvious? This man highlighted the plight of the Palestinian people. You could sy he was friend of the Palestinians. Why would they capture him? or worse, kill him? it doesn’t make sense. If anything he was a threat to the Israelis. It’s quite possible he had stumbled upon something the Israelis didn’t want him to know about and they decided to do something about it. Also, please note the deafening silence coming from the Isreali authorities…it’s not difficult for an Israeli agency to make someone disappear and then blame it some “Islamist” group…I hope Alan is alive and well, but you have to admit it doesn’t look good.
And …
I agree with you 100%. Alan Johnstone is a friend of the Palestinians, one only has to look at the support he has been given in Gaza. He lived amongst them and told their story so why should they hurt him? On the other hand the Zionists have much to gain by his death and are more than capable of faking his kidnapping and God Forbid, killing him. Other journalists and aid workers kidnapped, have been released unharmed so why should he have been treated differently?
I hope that he is still alive but if the worst has happened I would not be looking at the Palestinians to blame.
And …
You have taken the words out of my mouth….you are 100% correct….and I thought I was the only one thinking that!!!
And …
What is happening in gaza is being done to make sure that media whcih is critical of israel no longer sends its correspondents to tell what is happening to the palestinians.
just like in iraq the media is deliberatly targetted so that the occupiers can carry out their crimes without witnesses who can speak out independently.
even a little child knows that if someone looks after you,there is no way you then try to harm them,what we have to look at is who gains from the B.B.C leaving gaza.
certainly not the palestinians and since the isralei mossad and shinbet has killed hundreds of people without trial or arrest,then i would tend to believe israeli black ops more than this phony tawheed group claim.
http://www.mpacuk.org/content/view/3557/34/
If I put flowers on somebody’s grave, it will be the likes of Theo Van Gogh, not Alan Johnstone.
May I commend my esteemed colleagues for an excellent debate on this thread.
Do I have sympathy for Alan Johnston? Yes. Would I condemn anyone who doesn’t? No, and I certainly don’t think they are comparable to terrorists.
Though I regard Johnston as one of the enemy, and someone who has done tremendous damage to Israel and the West through his bias and propaganda, I don’t see him as deserving the fate that may well have befallen him. But one has to draw the line somewhere. What about Zarqawi? Or Saddam Hussein? I think it’s stretching it a little to feel sympathy for people who are pure evil when they meet their end. Relief, yes. Sympathy, no.
“Roxana | 16.04.07 – 9:27 pm | ”
i’m afraid that you have hit the nail on the head. it’ll take a holocaust on us, the infidel Europeans to make people here wake up.
there’s important corollaries with the Jewish experience – HUNDREDS of years of persecution and massacres and yet the Rabbis led their flocks to Belzec and Treblinka, reassuring them that the Germans were civilised.
i hate to say it, but Roxana’s is spot on in her observation. i dearly hope it’ll never comes to pass.
“The Fat Contractor | 16.04.07 – 7:58 pm”
whats needed is good old fashioned Voice of America anti-communist propaganda – but instead turned into anti-islamist propaganda.
preferably directed and managed by Richard Dawkins, and several apostates from Islam. broadcast into Gaza 24×7.
I saw Newsnight last night, with a clip from the BBC’s vigil for Mr Johnson.
I must say that the BBC staff did look hideously white.
Anyway, on this page…
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6562217.stm
…I read “On Sunday, a previously unknown group, the Tawhid and Jihad brigades, claimed it had killed Mr Johnston…”
Previously unknown?
If you Google the BBC’s own site we can get an idea of how “previously unknown” they are:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Tawhid+and+Jihad++site:.news.bbc.co.uk&hl=en&start=100&sa=N
Anonymous at 17. 04.07 – 6:45
Excellent information. These links even include a story on a terror attack in Egypt, which is not a million miles away.
I have politely informed the BBC.
Sometimes they do take notice.
Let’s be clear about this. Alan Johnston operates on several levels.
1) At a base level he is some mother’s son and being fashioned in the nature of the divine image: he has inherent worth and dignity.
As such on a human level I wish for his speedy release in good health.
Maimonides rules that he who ignores ransoming a captive is guilty of transgressing commandments such as “you shall not hearden your heart” (Deut. 15:7); “you shall not stand idly by the blood of your brother” (Lev. 19:16); and “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18)
2) Alan Johnston is also part of propaganda machine that feeds on and encourages hatred against the west and intransigent behvior.
The BBC’s coverage helped to create an enviroment where westerners are hated and there is a patronization of arab violence.
It’s a hop and a skip from “seizing” israeli soldiers across the border to “kidnapping” a journalist inside the border.
3) Finally, one must ask if Alan Johnston was a useful idiot or a knowing enabler.
In the Jewish Yom Kippur liturgy one of the listen sin’s is “Advocating for bad causes”.
Of this everyone at BBC is guilty.
Many of the comments on HYS re Alan Johnston are incredidible but I think the double think in this one takes the biscuit – “It is beyond comprehension why the Palestinians would kidnap a BBC reporter. The BBC is known for its neutrality and has always been sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.”
Anonymous at 17.04.07 – 9:52 am
Yea. That’s a good one. cognitive dissonance at its best.
Does Europe stir from its slumber?
The UK and Scandinavia Counterjihad Summit
From Baron Bodissey at the http://www.gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/
Now I can tell you the news. The Baron has been in Copenhagen for the last few days. Today he is attending the UK and Scandinavia Counterjihad Summit, organized by the Center for Vigilant Freedom and hosted by SIAD, Exile, Steen, and other members of the Danish blogosphere.
Because of the previous experiences of SIAD (Stop the Islamification of Denmark), none of this could be discussed ahead of time. In the past, when SIAD’s events were publicized in advance, groups of leftist thugs known as “Anti-Racism Squads” broke up the meetings by physically attacking SIAD members and injuring some of them.
So the Counterjihad Summit was organized without advance publicity. In addition, there was strict security, and the location was known only to the leaders of SIAD. In attendance today is an international group:
* Danish bloggers and anti-jihad operatives;
* leaders of the UK chapter of the Center for Vigilant Freedom;
* members of the Swedish group SverigeDemokraterna;
* several Norwegians (including our own stalwart Fjordman);
* Paul Belien* of Brussels Journal; and
* the Baron and one other American representing CVF.
…………
Good Morning.
I have to say this is one of the best threads I’ve seen-keep up the good work.:)
The question has been raised by Natalie and others of “why kill Alan Johnston”?
Very simple-he was no longer useful, and what better way to blackmail a news broadcaster than by hold him hostage and play mind games?
I also happen to think that this episode quite neatly co-insides with a number of “wider issues”. The timing in the greater context of the region is impeccable-The UK is already on the back foot.
Notice how Hama’s neatly links captured terrorist in Israeli gaols with the release of Alan Johnston as mentioned yesterday and now quietly dropped today:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6562217.stm
Behind all this I think the hand of Iran is at work.
Notice the sure hand of IRGC ‘observers’ and NGO’s ‘advising the PA’ on how to play the spin game. I smell the hand of far more darker forces than just the nutty squad neo Salafits.
With Iraq no longer influencing Palestinian politics (another reason to invade Iraq perhaps?) Iran has stepped in to fill the void. The European presences in Gaza is weak and what better way in influencing the nations mouthpiece but by black mailing them BEFORE you carry out some stunt.HAMAS being best buddies with the Al Quds chaps would only too willing to kidnap and kill a little lamb.
Two weeks after AJ goes AWOL we get the ‘frightened 15’ capers, the UN sanctions, a defection of a top IRGC commander, Iran wet workers in Baghdad and all manner of fun and games.
All roads lead to Tehran time and again. And I get more and more the feeling that the UK is being ‘picked on’ because it has become the weakest link.
Of course this is only my theory but I have developed a very strong opinion that the ‘war on terror’ is about to enter it’s most dangerous phase yet.
Re Anonymous “The BBC is known for its neutrality and has always been sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.”
Last night the BBC had a Tesco knocking show (the gigantic, competition distorting BBC is always ready to spot the mote in the other’s eye) featuring the comfortable burghers of Sherringham, Norfolk. They didn’t want a Tesco (not a tax funded body, & to be patronised voluntarily).
They marched down Whitehall to deliver their petition to no10, spotted the Cenotaph & declared, without spotting the irony, ” They died for democracy, & that’s what we’re fighting for”