London, 2 April (AKI) - Some of the most famous names in British and international journalism have signed an appeal demanding the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, who disappeared in Gaza three weeks ago. The 300 signatories of the appeal which was made in a full page advertisement in the Guardian newspaper on Monday include David Frost, Jon Snow, Christiane Amanpour and Wadah Khanfar, editor in chief of the Al Jazeera network. The appeal comes after a report in a leading British weekly newspaper, quoting security sources in Gaza, said a powerful clan leader may be behind Johnston's abduction. Alan Johnston, 44, who had been reporting for the BBC in Gaza for three years, disappeared three weeks ago. He is believed to have been kidnapped, but no public demands have been made for his release. Palestinian journalists have begun a three-day strike urging the authorities to do more to secure his release. According to the Sunday Times, feared clan leader Mumtaz Dagmoush may be using the British journalist – who disappeared almost three weeks ago – as a bargaining chip to settle a factional feud.The paper says one hypothesis is that Johnston is likely to be released only if up to 10 Hamas gunmen linked to the killings of two Dagmoush family members are handed over to face justice.The Dagmoush clan, active in weapons smuggling, is one of the most influential and heavily armed in Gaza and has members in both Fatah and Hamas, the main political parties.On Monday, the International Press Institute, a media watchdog, expressed "grave concern" about Alan Johnston's fate. "His work reporting fairly and accurately from Gaza has been widely praised. He has shed light on one of the world's most demanding stories - in keeping with the highest standards of the BBC," IPI director Johann Fritz said in a statement.
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