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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Holy Jihad Brigade Vow to Target Non-Muslims
2006-09-02
Palestinian militants who held two Fox News journalists hostage for nearly two weeks threatened in a statement posted online Saturday to abduct non-Muslims visiting the Palestinian territories and kill them unless their demands were met. The statement, posted in the name of the Holy Jihad Brigades on a Web site frequently used by militants, said the group would kill any hostages it takes unless they converted to Islam, paid a ransom or Muslim prisoners were exchanged for their release. "Any infidel blood will have no sanctity," the group said in the statement.

It was not possible to verify the authenticity of the statement, which was dated August 27 _ the day militants released American journalist Steve Centanni, 60, and New Zealand cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36. They were seized Aug. 14 in Gaza City. Palestinian security officials said the name of the group was a front for local militants. They said they had tracked down the kidnappers _ whom they would not identify _ through third parties, but did not say whether the journalists' were freed under a deal.

Several Muslim clerics have issued edicts in the past stating that a visa issued by an Islamic country to a non-Muslim person carries an implicit guarantee of the holder's safety. One of the most recent fatwas, issued in August by an Egyptian cleric, asserted that the guarantee applies to visiting Israelis in spite of popular anger over Israeli military action in Gaza and Lebanon.
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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Hostages freed after 'conversion'
2006-08-27
MILITANTS in the Gaza Strip released two kidnapped journalists from the American Fox News Channel today after the men appeared on a videotape saying they had converted to Islam, Fox said.

Fox said correspondent Steve Centanni, a 60-year-old American, and New Zealand-born cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, were in a hotel in the Palestinian coastal strip. They hugged colleagues inside the hotel lobby before running up the stairs to a higher floor, Fox News footage showed. "Our heroes are home," Fox anchorman Shepard Smith said in a live broadcast from New York.

The two reporters were seized on August 14 by a previously unknown group called the Gaza Peoples Front Holy Jihad Brigades.

In a videotape released earlier, Centanni and Wiig were shown separately sitting cross-legged, reading statements announcing that they had converted to Islam. At times in the video they were wearing long Muslim robes. "I changed my name to Khaled. I have embraced Islam and say the word Allah," Centanni said.

Wiig called on leaders of the West to stop "hiding behind the 'I don't negotiate with terrorists' myth".

The Holy Jihad Brigades claimed responsibility on Wednesday for the kidnapping and had warned the United States to free Muslim prisoners to prevent the two captives facing unspecified consequences. That deadline expired on Saturday. The United States had said it would not make "concessions to terrorists".

Palestinian officials had earlier expressed optimism the men would be freed soon.

A separate statement from the captors had said the two journalists had to choose either Islam, a tax imposed on non-Muslims to be paid to a Muslim ruler, or war. "They chose Islam and that is a gift God gives those whom he chooses," the statement said.
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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Kidnapped Fox journalists convert to Islam on video
2006-08-27
GAZA (Reuters) - Two kidnapped Fox journalists appeared on a new videotape released by their captors on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, in which the reporters said they had converted to Islam, the Fox News Channel said.

Palestinian Interior Minister Saeed Seyam said efforts were under way to secure within hours the release of Fox correspondent Steve Centanni, a 60-year-old American, and New Zealand-born cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36.

Both journalists appeared to be in good health in the new video. They were seized on August 14. They were shown separately sitting cross-legged, reading a statement which Fox said was an announcement that they had converted to Islam. At times in the video they were wearing long Muslim robes.

Wiig called on leaders of the West to stop "hiding behind the 'I don't negotiate with terrorists' myth". He then read some words in Arabic.

"The issue of the two kidnapped journalists is on the way to being resolved," Seyam told Reuters. "Efforts are under way with several parties to secure their release within the coming hours."

The previously unknown Holy Jihad Brigades claimed responsibility on Wednesday for the kidnapping and had warned the United States to free Muslim prisoners or the captives would face unspecified consequences. The deadline expired on Saturday. The United States has said it would not make "concessions to terrorists".

A videotape released on Wednesday showed the two men, dressed in tracksuits, sitting on a blanket in front of a black background. They appeared fairly relaxed and in good health. Both said that they were fine and being treated well.

The kidnapping is the longest-lasting abduction of foreigners in the Palestinian coastal strip in more than a year.
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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Case of kidnapped Fox journalists could be resolved in 'the coming hours.'
2006-08-26
Fingers crossed, but would he be putting himself in this position, if he doesn't know something?
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip // With a deadline looming over the fate of two Fox News journalists kidnapped in Gaza City, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Saturday that he hoped the crisis would be resolved "in the coming hours." The journalists, correspondent Steve Centanni, 60, of Washington, D.C., and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand, were seized in Gaza City on Aug. 14. Their captors demanded the release of all Muslims imprisoned by the U.S. by midnight Saturday, in exchange for freeing the Fox journalists.
"Okay! Listen up! Tyrone, Homer, and Manuel, youse guys are being freed and sent to Gaza!"
"Hey screw, why us?"
"The government is releasing all the Muslims."
"But none of us is Muslim!"
"You are now! Now pack your shit and git moving!"
The kidnappers, a previously unknown group calling itself the Holy Jihad Brigades, did not say what it would do to the men if the deadline passed with their demands unanswered. It is not clear whether the kidnappers were local militants, either with ties to Hamas or the rival Fatah movement, or sneaked into Gaza from outside.

"We hope that this issue is going to be over in the coming hours," Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, said in a statement. "There are promises that the journalists will not be harmed. I hope that this case is going to be ended and solved in a way that reflects that the Palestinians respect their guests." Haniyeh did not elaborate.

Interior Ministry spokesman Khaled Abu Hilal said authorities were exerting efforts to release the journalists, but were not negotiating with the kidnappers.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called on Saturday for the journalists' release. "Palestinian authorities must continue their efforts to secure the safe release of these two professionals, who were unjustly taken while trying to report the news from Gaza. These journalists should be freed immediately and unconditionally," said Joel Simon, executive director of the committee.
There, that should do it.
Wiig's wife, Anita McNaught, traveled to Gaza soon after the kidnapping to appealing for the men's safe release. Centanni's brother, Ken, has made a similar plea.
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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Hamas plots progress to free Fox reporters
2006-08-25
Go figure -- Hamas want to take credit for getting hostages released from Hamas

GAZA CITY, Gaza -- Palestinian interior minister Siad Siam said Friday that efforts to win the release of two Western journalists snatched in Gaza were "encouraging," 24 hours before a deadline from their captors expires.

"Contacts are underway with Palestinian groups who are trying to secure the release of the two journalists. Things are at an early stage but they are encouraging," the minister told reporters in Gaza City.

He was speaking one day before an ultimatum for the United States to release all Muslim prisoners in its custody, set by their kidnappers is to expire.

The hostages were working for the US Fox News television network when they were snatched from a Gaza City street August 14 and bundled into a car.

Olaf Wiig, a freelance cameraman, comes from New Zealand and his producer colleague, Steve Centanni, from the United States.

There had been no news about their fate until Wednesday when the pair - looking healthy and relaxed - appeared in a videotape released in conjunction with a statement from the previously unknown group holding them.

The so-called Holy Jihad Brigades demanded that all Muslim prisoners in the United States be released within 72 hours, or Saturday at noon (0900 GMT), but did not say what would happen if the demands were not met.

The US State Department rejected the demands, insisting that the pair be released unconditionally, although US officials in the region have said that they were working with Palestinian authorities to try to secure the men's release.

Asked whether Palestinian security services had located the kidnappers, Siam said that it was too "early" to say.

"That should remain secret in order to support the efforts and I hope that they will be released. There is reason to be encouraged," added the minister.

The Hamas-led government, boycotted by the West, has repeatedly called for the two men to be released.
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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
US State Dept. rejects Fox kidnappers' demands
2006-08-24
The US State Department rejected on Wednesday demands by a previously unheard-of Palestinian group for the release of all Muslim prisoners in US prisons in exchange for the release of two kidnaped Fox News journalists. "We don't make concessions to terrorists, and we continue to call for the release of these journalists without conditions," State Department press officer Gonzalo Gallegos said.

He added that the State Department had no information on the group that claimed responsibility for kidnappings, the Holy Jihad Brigades. He said US diplomats have been in touch with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on the issue.
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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Transcript: Kidnappers' Statement
2006-08-23
A group claiming to have kidnapped two FOX News journalists released a video Wednesday showing both Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig. The Holy Jihad Brigades released the following statement with the video.

"This is a statement directed to the infidels in general, without discrimination of their georgraphical location. This is an invitation to enter into the religion of God before a day comes when being an infidel will not do you any good. The victory of God's soldiers can only be achieved by God's help. Nobody can frighten us about our enemy and what it possesses. In the name of God and taught Adam the names. If they throw us in fire it would be cool and safe on us. And if they throw us in water then the whale would pick us up and take us to land. If they want to cut us up, God will save us by sending a sacrifice and deliver us to safety.

No nation can be defeated without the will of God. Quoting Mohammed: 'Do not be sad for God is with us.'

Therefore lords of infidelity and masters of darkness and injustice believe in God and you will be safe or else wait for your turn because we come to slaughter. And every soul will reap what it has done.

You have angered us and we are not the kind that is angered. We are subdued, but rather the fountains of Islam and faith spring up in us.

We now tell you this is the chance we give you. God knows how often this kind of chance can be repeated.

In exchange for the release of the Muslim prisoners, males and females in the prisons of America, with our prisoners.

Release our prisoners and we will do the same. This applies to all without exception. And every Muslim is more cherished and more generous that a 1,000 Bushes. But this is a tradeoff of equals.

We will grant you 72 hours, that starts as of noon today during which you can look into this and if you carry out our condition we will carry out our promise, or else wait and we will wait with you and it will be in God's hands. And God's order is higher than any other and most people do not know. 'Those who have been injust will find out the consequences.'

The time you have starts as of noon Wednesday the 29th of Rajab (the Islamic month) of the year 1447 (Muslim year) which is the 23rd of August 2006.

Our thanks to God, the most gracious.

Signed

The Holy Jihad Brigades"
Not one word about zionists or occupied Palestine. This reads like a al-Qaeda or Iranian written statement. Note the "This is an invitation to enter into the religion of God" line. That sounds like Ahmadinejad's letter to President Bush.
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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Group claims abduction of Fox News journalists
2006-08-23
Scare quotes added for balance.
JERUSALEM (CNN) -- The previously unknown Holy Jihad Brigades claimed responsibility Wednesday for the abduction of two journalists working for Fox News in Gaza, and called for the release of Arabs from U.S. jails. Ramattan News Agency in Gaza aired a video in which the men, reporter Steve Centanni, 60, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, say they're being well-treated and plead for their release. They were kidnapped by "gunmen" in Gaza City on August 14.

In a written statement accompanying the video, the group demands the release of Arab prisoners from U.S.-run jails, citing the military facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Centanni is an American and Wiig is from New Zealand.

Centanni speaks first on the video. "We have been taken captive in Gaza and are being held prisoner here," he says, sitting cross-legged next to Wiig. "We're in fairly good condition, we're alive and well and in fairly good health. We get lots of clean water, food every day, access to the bathroom, shower, clean clothes and our captors are treating us well.

"Just want to let you know I'm here and alive and give my love to my family and friends and ask you to do anything you can to try to help us get out of here."

Wiig then speaks: "If you could apply any political pressure on the local government here in Gaza and the West Bank that would be much appreciated by Steve and myself...

"To my family: I love you all. Please don't worry, I'll do all the worrying for us."

The video then shows what appear to be the journalists' ID cards, including one that identifies Wiig as a CNN free-lancer.

Gaza's main Palestinian "militant" groups have denied any involvement in the abductions. Palestinian "security" forces have been involved in the search, a top priority for the Hamas-led Palestinian "government", Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Sunday.
Paleo sock puppets, they spring up daily.
Centanni's family has appealed for any information about his condition in a videotaped statement that aired Sunday on the Arabic-language network Al-Jazeera. "I would like his captors to know that Steve is an honorable man who always tries to do what is right," said Steve's brother Ken Centanni, who was flanked by his two sisters. "Steve has strong respect for the Palestinian people and their culture," Ken Centanni said. "Steve was in Gaza with Olaf Wiig to report the truth. He is far more valuable to the "Palestinian people" free as a journalist than as a captive.

"We love Steve very much and now his health, his safety and his life is your responsibility. Please contact our family, let us know that he is alive and unharmed."

Wiig's wife, Anita McNaught, issued an emotional statement in a recent video statement. "If somebody knows any information, can they please tell us because I want him home so much," she said. "He and his colleague, Steve, don't deserve this. They are good men. They are good men and should be allowed to come home."

According to witnesses, two vehicles blocked the journalists' television van in central Gaza. A masked man put a gun to the journalists' bodyguard and forced him to the ground before the kidnappers nabbed the men and sped away, the witnesses said.

In the past two years, Palestinian "militants" in Gaza have seized at least 26 foreigners, including nine members of the media. Hostages are usually released within hours. Generally, the "militant" groups use hostages for publicity purposes or to pressure Palestinian authorities for money, jobs or the release of prisoners.
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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Palestinian Group Claims Kidnapping of Journalists
2006-08-23
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A previously unheard of Palestinian group, the Holy Jihad Brigades, claimed responsibility Wednesday for kidnapping a FOX News cameraman and correspondent, Al-Jazeera reported. The Palestinian news agency Ramattan said the group set a 72-hour deadline to swap them for Palestinian prisoners.

American correspondent Steve Centanni, 60, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36, of New Zealand were kidnapped Aug. 14 from their TV van near the Palestinian security services headquarters in Gaza City. Although Palestinian militant groups have often seized foreigners, including members of the media, this is the longest any have been held.
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