Human rights worker in Gaza argued with captor over politics
-02/01/06
As an Italian pe
Human rights worker in Gaza argued with captor over politics
-02/01/06
As an Italian peace activist was freed yesterday after a short hostage ordeal in Gaza, further details are emerging of the abduction of human rights worker Kate Burton and her parents last week.
Ms Burton, who speaks Arabic and several other languages, has revealed that she had lengthy and exhausting ideological conversations with her captors about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and related Middle East concerns.
But despite the requirement to be interviewed by British intelligence, she is unwilling to go into details and says that she and her parents were treated well by the Brigades of the Mujahidin group ñ believed to be a faction of a larger militant network.
All the main Palestinian political organisations on the troubled Gaza strip oppose kidnapping, and rigorous attempts are being made to bring the few who do not back into line.
The Palestinian Authority was yesterday involved in freeing an Italian peace activist, part of a four-person delegation including Members of the European Parliament, after he was seized in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis.
Apparently Ms Burton watched BBC television reports of her ìreleaseî while she was still held in captivity. The three Britons were only set free after a propaganda film had been made and shown on an Arabic TV network. The process was delayed by a local power cut.
Two specialist hostage negotiators who flew out from Britain were closely involved in tense behind-the-scenes talks that went on for 18 hours with the previously unknown Palestinian militant group who seized Ms Burton, her father, Hugh, aged 73, and mother, Win, aged 55.
A half-sister said yesterday: ìItís been reported that she badgered her kidnappers [with political arguments] and I could believe that. You can just imagine: thereís this outcry over the kidnapping and sheís arguing with them in Arabic about ideology. They probably thought ëget her out of hereí.î
Ms Burton has been working with human rights group al-Mezan for three months, following the termination of a post with the United Nations after the UN withdrew staff following kidnap threats and incidents.
She spent time in Jerusalem with her parents after their ordeal before returning to Ramallah, and she intends to be back at her job in Gaza this week. They have returned to Brussels.
Ms Burton has been praised for her courage, integrity and resourcefulness by Palestinian groups and by the Authority. Like them, she is said to believe that security issues are best left in Palestinian hands.
It is not believed that any ransom payment was involved.
Ms Burtonís mother, Win, is an expert on religion and spirituality, and has in the recent past worked for the European Union on the ëSoul for Europeí project. She has also been involved in ecumenical Christian and interfaith issues.
In a joint statement, the Burtons said: ìWe are in good health and have been treated extremely well through the ordeal. Kate Burton plans to stay in the region and continue working with the Palestinian people.î
They continued: ìKate remains committed and passionate about working alongside the Palestinians to improve their external image and alleviate the difficult conditions being suffered by the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.î
British officials are said to be annoyed that Ms Burton will not accept their attempt to portray the situation as simple criminality and to suggest that she does not understand what is going on.
News is still awaited on the situation of four Christian peace workers in Iraq who were kidnapped on 26 November 2005.
[Also on Ekklesia: Middle East Christians and Muslims renew plea for Iraq captives 01/01/06; Baptists urge support for Norman Kember 31/12/05; Freedom for Kate Burton comes with fresh threats 31/12/05; Vigils go on for Christian Peacemaker Teams hostages in Iraq 30/12/05; Release of human rights worker in Gaza announced 30/12/05]
Human rights worker in Gaza argued with captor over politics
-02/01/06
As an Italian peace activist was freed yesterday after a short hostage ordeal in Gaza, further details are emerging of the abduction of human rights worker Kate Burton and her parents last week.
Ms Burton, who speaks Arabic and several other languages, has revealed that she had lengthy and exhausting ideological conversations with her captors about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and related Middle East concerns.
But despite the requirement to be interviewed by British intelligence, she is unwilling to go into details and says that she and her parents were treated well by the Brigades of the Mujahidin group – believed to be a faction of a larger militant network.
All the main Palestinian political organisations on the troubled Gaza strip oppose kidnapping, and rigorous attempts are being made to bring the few who do not back into line.
The Palestinian Authority was yesterday involved in freeing an Italian peace activist, part of a four-person delegation including Members of the European Parliament, after he was seized in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis.
Apparently Ms Burton watched BBC television reports of her ‘release’ while she was still held in captivity. The three Britons were only set free after a propaganda film had been made and shown on an Arabic TV network. The process was delayed by a local power cut.
Two specialist hostage negotiators who flew out from Britain were closely involved in tense behind-the-scenes talks that went on for 18 hours with the previously unknown Palestinian militant group who seized Ms Burton, her father, Hugh, aged 73, and mother, Win, aged 55.
A half-sister said yesterday: ‘It’s been reported that she badgered her kidnappers [with political arguments] and I could believe that. You can just imagine: there’s this outcry over the kidnapping and she’s arguing with them in Arabic about ideology. They probably thought ëget her out of here’.’
Ms Burton has been working with human rights group al-Mezan for three months, following the termination of a post with the United Nations after the UN withdrew staff following kidnap threats and incidents.
She spent time in Jerusalem with her parents after their ordeal before returning to Ramallah, and she intends to be back at her job in Gaza this week. They have returned to Brussels.
Ms Burton has been praised for her courage, integrity and resourcefulness by Palestinian groups and by the Authority. Like them, she is said to believe that security issues are best left in Palestinian hands.
It is not believed that any ransom payment was involved.
Ms Burton’s mother, Win, is an expert on religion and spirituality, and has in the recent past worked for the European Union on the ëSoul for Europe’ project. She has also been involved in ecumenical Christian and interfaith issues.
In a joint statement, the Burtons said: ‘We are in good health and have been treated extremely well through the ordeal. Kate Burton plans to stay in the region and continue working with the Palestinian people.’
They continued: ‘Kate remains committed and passionate about working alongside the Palestinians to improve their external image and alleviate the difficult conditions being suffered by the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.’
British officials are said to be annoyed that Ms Burton will not accept their attempt to portray the situation as simple criminality and to suggest that she does not understand what is going on.
News is still awaited on the situation of four Christian peace workers in Iraq who were kidnapped on 26 November 2005.
[Also on Ekklesia: Middle East Christians and Muslims renew plea for Iraq captives 01/01/06; Baptists urge support for Norman Kember 31/12/05; Freedom for Kate Burton comes with fresh threats 31/12/05; Vigils go on for Christian Peacemaker Teams hostages in Iraq 30/12/05; Release of human rights worker in Gaza announced 30/12/05]