Journalists boycott Pelosi-Abbas meeting

Media in the Palestinian territories boycotted a meeting today between the speaker of the US House of Representatives and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

It was part of a wider protest against the Palestinian government’s inability to free kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, is on a Mideast tour with a delegation of politicians, including the first Muslim member of Congress, Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota.

However, her meeting with Mr Abbas coincided with the strike journalists called in solidarity with 44-year-old Alan Johnston who was kidnapped in the Gaza Strip on March 12.

Johnston is the longest-held reporter ever abducted in Gaza. There has been no word on his whereabouts or condition, and no demands have been issued.

“We are very concerned for the fate of our colleague,” said Naim Tubasi, head of the Palestinian journalists union.

Eleven journalists have been kidnapped in Gaza over the past three years. All were released unharmed, most within days of capture. Kidnappers, who usually take hostages to settle scores or demand jobs, are rarely punished.

Many suspect members of a powerful Gaza clan took Johnston. But efforts to free him have made little progress.

Pelosi’s trip includes stops in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria. The last leg has drawn criticism from the White House, which accuses Syria of supporting terrorism.

Pelosi has said when she visits Damascus, she will tell leaders that Israel will only engage in peace talks if Syria stops supporting Palestinian militants.