BBC journalist captive for three weeks

GAZA CITY – BBC journalist Alan Johnston yesterday marked three weeks in captivity after being abducted by armed men in Gaza, the longest a foreigner has been held in the increasingly lawless territory.

Palestinian and foreign journalists were to hold a rally in the West Bank city of Ramallah in solidarity with the reporter, who was forced at gunpoint from his car as he drove home from work in Gaza City on March 12. On Sunday, Palestinian journalists announced a three-day strike to protest what they called their government’s inadequate response to Johnston’s abduction – the latest in a string of foreigner kidnappings over the past year.”Our colleague Alan Johnston’s kidnap is entering its fourth week,” Palestinian Journalists’ Union president Naim Tubasi said.”This makes us think there is a danger to his life and we are very worried.”Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and the Islamist movement Hamas, the majority party in the new unity government, have both condemned the abduction and pledged to work for Johnston’s release.Since his abduction, there has been no word on the whereabouts of Johnston, the British broadcaster’s main correspondent in Gaza for the past three years .Nampa-AFPOn Sunday, Palestinian journalists announced a three-day strike to protest what they called their government’s inadequate response to Johnston’s abduction – the latest in a string of foreigner kidnappings over the past year.”Our colleague Alan Johnston’s kidnap is entering its fourth week,” Palestinian Journalists’ Union president Naim Tubasi said.”This makes us think there is a danger to his life and we are very worried.”Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and the Islamist movement Hamas, the majority party in the new unity government, have both condemned the abduction and pledged to work for Johnston’s release.Since his abduction, there has been no word on the whereabouts of Johnston, the British broadcaster’s main correspondent in Gaza for the past three years .Nampa-AFP