| Submit your comments on this article |
| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| GAZA: CHIEF OF CLAN HOLDING BBC REPORTER WANTS 'SAFETY ASSURANCES' |
| 2007-06-22 |
| (AKI) - The head of a Palestinian clan in the Gaza Strip holding BBC reporter Alan Johnston wants Hamas to guarantee his and his relatives safety in exchange for the reporter's release, the daily Jerusalem Post said Friday. Clan leader Mumtaz Dagmoush, is refusing to release the journalist - kidnapped over 100 days ago - for fear that Hamas will kill him and most of his clan members, the Jerusalem Post said, citing Hamas sources. Dagmoush, who is known as Abu Muhammad, is negotiating Johnston's release with Hamas leaders in return for assurances that he and his relatives will not be killed, the report said. Since last Saturday, the sources said, dozens of Hamas militiamen have been surrounding the area where the Dagmoush clan lives in Gaza City's Sabra neighbourhood. Hamas has warned that it will use force unless Johnston is freed by Monday. "This man is a big thug," an unidentified source was quoted as saying by the Jerusalem Post. "He is claiming to head a group calling itself the Army of Islam. In fact, this is just a group of murderers and thugs who want money and jobs," the source said. On Wednesday, a member of the clan, Munir Dagmoush, was shot by unknown gunmen in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighbourhood. His killing raised fears that the clan might try to kidnap another foreigner. Dagmoush said his Army of Islam group did not consist only of members of the Dagmoush clan. "I'm only a soldier in this group," he said. "This is a group that is based on the principle of jihad [holy war]." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #7 As a muslim, Dagmoush of all people should know the value of a muslim's promises. Bingo, ed! If there is no honor amongst thieves, imagine the perfidy and nefarious back-stabbing that must go on between Muslims. This is the true consequence of taqiyya. Claiming a god-given right to lie, cheat and steal makes for some pretty damning public relations. Were it even possible to overlook Islamic terrorism and shari'a law, taqiyya would still stand as an insurmountable obstacle to any acceptance of such filth. Granting oneself free license to violate every moral and ethical canon simply is intolerable. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-06-22 15:09 |
| #6 In fact, this is just a group of murderers and thugs who want money and jobs Wanting jobs is soooo.... criminal! True, Dagmoush seems to go wrong way about it. |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2007-06-22 11:59 |
| #5 If he needs a job, get BBC to hire him as a cameraman or producer. What differnce would it be and he has all the right qualifications for working at the beeb. |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2007-06-22 10:42 |
| #4 This is an interesting note. Unlike Fatah, whose rule resulted in clans ruled by strongmen, Hamas probably wants complete and utter control over all aspects of the Gaza Strip. This means systematically wiping out any and all resistance, any authority alternative to the Hamas executive council, whatever they are. In effect, from Israel's point of view, it is exchanging two dozen different independent enemies for one big enemy. While on the surface this seems to be a bad thing, it is actually far easier to deal with than the chaos and anarchy that existed before. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2007-06-22 10:09 |
| #3 I assure you, we will keep the reporter safe after we kill you. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2007-06-22 09:29 |
| #2 As a muslim, Dagmoush of all people should know the value of a muslim's promises. |
| Posted by: ed 2007-06-22 09:19 |
| #1 Nah. Why don't you keep him instead. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2007-06-22 08:59 |