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Mid-East demo for BBC's Johnston Mid-East demo for BBC's Johnston
(10 minutes later)
A rally is being held by journalists at the main crossing point between Israel and the Gaza Strip over the kidnapping of BBC reporter Alan Johnston.A rally is being held by journalists at the main crossing point between Israel and the Gaza Strip over the kidnapping of BBC reporter Alan Johnston.
Israel's Foreign Press Association began the protest at 1100 (0800 GMT) on both sides of the Erez checkpoint. Members of Israel's Foreign Press Association have gathered on both sides of the Erez checkpoint.
Organisers say it is an attempt to keep pressure on the Palestinian authorities to secure the reporter's release.Organisers say it is an attempt to keep pressure on the Palestinian authorities to secure the reporter's release.
The 44-year-old BBC Gaza correspondent has not been seen since he was abducted by gunmen more than six weeks ago.The 44-year-old BBC Gaza correspondent has not been seen since he was abducted by gunmen more than six weeks ago.
Since Mr Johnston's abduction there have been widespread protests in the UK, in Israel and in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.Since Mr Johnston's abduction there have been widespread protests in the UK, in Israel and in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Journalists from Gaza, the Middle East and a range of other countries have backed calls from the BBC and other UK media for his release.Journalists from Gaza, the Middle East and a range of other countries have backed calls from the BBC and other UK media for his release.
In the UK, the National Union of Journalists is to hold a vigil to press for Mr Johnston's release.In the UK, the National Union of Journalists is to hold a vigil to press for Mr Johnston's release.
The vigil, backed by the International Federation of Journalists, will take place outside the offices of the Palestinian General Delegation in Hammersmith, London, at 1230 (1130 GMT).The vigil, backed by the International Federation of Journalists, will take place outside the offices of the Palestinian General Delegation in Hammersmith, London, at 1230 (1130 GMT).
High standingHigh standing
Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory.He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory.
The BBC's Middle East correspondent, Tim Franks, says the deep frustration among journalists, both locals and outsiders, is not just because of Alan Johnston's high standing, but also because the kidnapping reflects Gaza's descent into lawlessness.The BBC's Middle East correspondent, Tim Franks, says the deep frustration among journalists, both locals and outsiders, is not just because of Alan Johnston's high standing, but also because the kidnapping reflects Gaza's descent into lawlessness.
That in turn has meant the Gaza Strip has become almost a no-go area for foreign journalists, our correspondent says.That in turn has meant the Gaza Strip has become almost a no-go area for foreign journalists, our correspondent says.
On Monday Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Azzam al-Ahmad said his office had information that "indicates that Johnston is in good health".On Monday Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Azzam al-Ahmad said his office had information that "indicates that Johnston is in good health".
A previously unknown militant group said more than a week ago that it had killed the correspondent, but the BBC and Palestinian officials have said they have been unable to verify the claim.A previously unknown militant group said more than a week ago that it had killed the correspondent, but the BBC and Palestinian officials have said they have been unable to verify the claim.
A BBC News website petition has now registered more than 50,000 names in support of Mr Johnston.A BBC News website petition has now registered more than 50,000 names in support of Mr Johnston.