Alan Johnston is Free!!!

BBC Gaza reporter Alan Johnston, center, was released
Wednesday after nearly four months of captivity.

After nearly four months in captivity (12 March -04 July) BBC Gaza reporter Alan Johnston is a free man. He was kidnapped at gunpoint on his way home from work 14 weeks ago by militants claiming to represent the Army of Islam.

In the wake of the civil war in Gaza, political leaders representing Hamas pledged to secure his release. (Hamas severed all ties with the Army of Islam in the wake of the kidnapping.) On Wednesday, Hamas surrounded the compound of the renegade Doghmush Clan with gunmen on rooftops and in alleys. I'm certain it was tense, but they were able to secure his release, although not entirely without violence. Gunfire was exchanged, and a civilian was killed. It was unclear which side was responsible, although Hamas did issue a statement claiming that the renegade militants of the clan were responsible.

He was taken immediately to the home of deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Esmail Haniyeh, where he contacted the BBC and his father. (I just heard moments ago that he has left Gaza, and has crossed the border into Israel, and is en route to Jerusalem.) Hamas leaders in Gaza issued a statement that the rule of law would be enforced in Gaza and the rescue of Alan Johnston was proof that the rule of law would be enforced, and parties acting outside the law would meet stiff resistance.

Now, I'm no expert in the middle east. But I do like to think I am relatively sane, and that leads me to assess the situation as it is, rather than how I would like it to be. Hamas is in charge in Gaza. Period. That is the starting point. Pitching mighty fits and dispensing collective punishments is not going to change that, and continuing down the current path is just stupid. You work with what you have to work with, and you strive to make something better.


It isn't the 80's, Arafat is dead, Fatah is corrupt, Hamas is militant and Israel is nervous.


I get it.


But I also remember the timeless advice of Moshe Dayan: "If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies."

So let's talk.

Let us hope...

In the wake of the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip, senior Hamas leaders have vowed to work their influence to free kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston. Johnston was snatched off the street by gunmen on 12 March, and has not been seen or heard from since, although his wellbeing has been claimed by the Army of Islam, the group that has claimed responsibility for his abduction.

"We have started taking practical steps to release Alan Johnston." Hamas leaders said in a statement released yesterday. Ousted Prime Minister Esmail Hamiya, echoing the sentiment that the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip was a positive development and offered the best hope forhis freedom. "From now on, there will be one legitimate armed forde. We will bring discipline and law to Gaza. It will thus be easier to gain the liberation of the British journalist Alan Johnston. His kidnappers will listen to us more closely."

The Army of Islam, which claims to be holding Johnston has demanded the release of several Islamic militants and the Palestinian-born cleric Abu Qatada who is imprisoned in Britain.

In the wake of the kidnapping, Hamas, trying to move toward legitimate governance from armed insurrection, severed all ties with the Army of Islam, and denounced the abduction. Hamas and Haniya have repeatedly called for his release.

May they be able to secure it soon.

Sunday Morning Spiritual: Alan Johnston and Freedom of the Press Edition

an interfaith vigil, held at the church of St. Martins in the Fields in Trafalgar Square on the six-week anniversary of Mr. Johnston's captivity.

Rabbi Winer put it perfectly when he said that We [Christians, Jews and Muslims] "are united in our resolve that kidnapping a journalist, kidnapping Alan Johnston, is outside the bounds of acceptable behavior, regardless of the truth or justice of anyones cause."

Is it kosher for an Atheist-Jew to say Amen?