Italian activist kidnapped in Gaza by extremists

[News_Editor]

Italian activist kidnapped in Gaza by extremists

2011-04-15 05:45:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

GAZA STRIP (BNO NEWS) -- An Italian activist on Thursday was kidnapped by Salafist extremists in the Gaza Strip, the non-governmental organization International Solidarity Movement (ISM) informed.

The Salafi Jihadi released a video in which Vittorio Arrigoni is seen blindfolded and bruised. The radical group demanded Hamas to release Salafist prisoners. In February, Hamas detained Abu Al-Walid Al-Mqdesi, a senior leader of the Gaza-based group.

Arrigoni, a journalist and human rights defender, has worked for the Palestinian-led ISM for almost 10 years. The Palestinian-led movement is committed to resisting the Israeli apartheid in Palestine by using nonviolent, direct-action methods and principles.

The activist was last seen at a building among other foreigners and ISM workers in the port area of Gaza City. ISM called for a mass demonstration in Jundi Square on Friday evening to demand his release.

The Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said that the appropriate steps for ensuring the protection of Arrigoni were already made in cooperation with the Consulate in Jerusalem.

The Minister added that the relatives of the activist have been informed of the situation but further details will remain confidential. Vittorio was granted honorary citizenship for his work on promoting the cause of the Palestinian people.

In recent years, Hamas security forces have been in frequent conflict with Salafi Jihadists, a group of ultra-radical Islamists in Gaza which said that in comparison, "Hamas is Islamism Lite."

In August 2009, a group of Salafists staged a battle in Rafah, southern Gaza. The radicals took over a mosque and declared an Islamic caliphate in the city. Hamas regained control of the area after a deadly battle in which 22 people were killed.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-15

[kuffki]

Sad for the Italian Man, but classic scenario

One jihadist is extorting another jihadist, the sad part is the innocent people suffer and worse part is, its the ones who actually trying to help.

[angiud]

Sorry to say, the terrorists kill the NGO volunteer already .

Vittorio Arrigoni R.I.P.

[Wallaby]

That is terrible news. RIP.

[cdnvic]

Italian activist found dead in Gaza after abduction

An Italian pro-Palestinian activist has been found dead in the Gaza Strip hours after being abducted, security sources in the Hamas-governed territory say. Vittorio Arrigoni was seized on Thursday morning by a radical group seeking the release of their leader, who was arrested last month.

Hamas said Arrigoni was found hanged, after police received a tip-off.

He was the first foreigner kidnapped in Gaza since BBC journalist Alan Johnston was snatched in 2007.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13088630

Hamas officials say the body of an Italian pro-Palestinian activist kidnapped a few hours earlier has been found.

The officials said Hamas police stormed an apartment in Gaza City belonging to a member of the group that released a video of the activist.

After a clash early on Friday, Hamas police found the body, they said. It was not clear how he died. A police officer said four people were arrested in another location in connection with the abduction.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/04/2011414194735306181.html

[luckizuchinni]

Why the hell would they kidnap someone working for the Palestinian cause and then kill him? Unbelievable.

[Steely Dan]

Why the hell would they kidnap someone working for the Palestinian cause and then kill him? Unbelievable.

The Salafists are a particularly extreme virulently fanatical bunch, they have contempt for ALL life, and merely wanting human rights bestowed on the Palestinian people would have been just cause for his death in their eyes for not sharing their exact warped vision.

Sadly, expect to hear more of the Salafists as the Egyptian power struggle develops.

[geriatrickid]

This is not the first such incident. Peace activists, both foreign and arab are regularly murdered or their activities attacked by some arabs.

It is conveniently ignored that some of these groups have been blowing up internet cafes, restaurants, and UNRWA children's playgrounds in Gaza for some time claiming they are corrupt and evil. Last year, the UNRWA children's event was destroyed because of the view that girls and boys shouldn't mix.

Angelo Frammartino, a 24 year-old law student from Italy who arrived in Israel as a human rights organization activist, was stabbed to death by an Arab knifeman.The website of Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera reported that Frammartino was working for the setting up of a children's supper camp for Palestinians in Jerusalem's Old City.

Juliano Mer-Khamis was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Jenin this month. He was a respected proponent of peace.

This is what some of the people in this forum don't grasp. The arabs that try to make peace with Israel or that try to advnce social progress are killed off by those radical elements that want only war and violence. These are the people launching the missiles into Israel, that are killing their own fellow arabs. Until the arabs confront their own internal hatreds and groups opposed to peace, and until Iran and some Gulf state arabs stop financing the terror activity, there will always be conflict with Israel. No one wants to deal with this aspect of the issue because it would be unpleasant and difficult for the political groups like Hamas and their foreign backers to accept the fact that there is no desire for peace from Hamas. Hizbollah etc.

[Ulysses G.]

This is what some of the people in this forum don't grasp.

And others understand it only too well. but their hatred for Israel in much more important to them than the fact that they make excuses for barbaric Islamic fanatics that they are well aware have no real interest in peace on any terms.

Edited April 15, 2011 by Ulysses G.

[Steely Dan]

This is what some of the people in this forum don't grasp.

And others understand it only too well. but their hatred for Israel in much more important to them than the fact that they make excuses for hateful, Islamic fanatics that they are well aware have no real interest in peace on any terms.

I highlighted two recent threads where two Imans were murdered for denouncing violence. There is a war going on within Islam where fundamentalist fanatics are trying to silence any voice of moderation as this does not suit their vision of global jihad. Still some posters would rather get their news from Iranian Press TV than any unbiased news source, these same posters are obsessed with 'justice' for Palestinians, who in reality have far more rights and live in far better conditions than those living throughout the majority of the middle east.