The New York Times reports:

In a new video, kidnapped British journalist Alan Johnston appears with what he says are explosives strapped to his body and warns that his captors intend to set them off if rescuers attempt to free him by force.

The tape, called ”Alan’s Appeal,” was seen Monday after it was put on a Web site used in the past by militant groups to post messages. It was made by the Army of Islam, the shadowy group that claimed responsibility for snatching Johnston, a correspondent with the British Broadcasting Corp., from a Gaza City street on March 12.

”Captors tell me that very promising negotiations were ruined when the Hamas movement and the British government decided to press for a military solution to this kidnapping,” Johnston says in the 1 minute, 42 second, recording, looking nervous and under stress. ”And the situation is now very serious, as you can see.”

Johnston: “I have been dressed in what is an explosive belt, which the kidnappers say will be detonated if there is an attempt to storm the area. They say they are ready to turn the hideout into what they describe as a death zone if there is an attempt to free me by force.

“I do appeal to the Hamas movement and the British government not, not to, resort to the tactics of force in an effort to end this. I’d ask the BBC and anyone in Britain who wishes me well to support me in that appeal. It seems the answer is to return to negotiations, which I am told are very close to achieving a deal.”

Where are the British media? Where are the British academics calling for boycotts now? Where is the outrage? Can you imagine what the response would have been like, if Johnston would have been kidnapped by an Israeli terrorist organization?

Anyway - for Johnston and his family, this is a horrible, horrible time. It is impossible to imagine what he must go through. May God protect him and be there for Johnston’s family, to give them all the strength and faith they need to get through this. Same goes for Alan himself of course.