British journalist arrested in Gaza

Speed of reaction from the British consulate is in stark contrast to the sluggish response when British citizens were attacked, beaten and detained in Egypt as part of the recent Viva Palestina humanitarian aid convoy. Having said that, the freelance journalist should be released immediately.

British officials met Monday with a detained journalist in Gaza amid calls for Hamas to release the Briton, the first foreigner the Islamists have arrested since seizing power in Gaza in 2007.

Paul Martin was arrested on Sunday in a Gaza Strip courtroom while testifying for a Palestinian friend accused of "collaborating with Israel," Hamas and British officials said.

"We are very concerned about the situation and we are attempting to provide consular assistance," a spokesman for the British consulate in Jerusalem said, adding that the British authorities were in touch with Martin's family.

A statement on the Hamas interior ministry website said Martin was ordered held for two weeks for "violating Palestinian law and security in the Gaza Strip," but did not elaborate.

"A representative from the British consulate entered (Gaza) yesterday and has met with the British journalist," it said, adding that Martin had entered Gaza on Sunday.

The Foreign Press Association (FPA), which groups journalists in Israel and the Palestinian territories, said it was "deeply concerned" over the arrest and called on Hamas to free the reporter.

"We expect the Hamas, as we do all parties, to respect the rights of every journalist on assignment, to work without fear of being arrested," it said in a statement.

"The Foreign Press Association hereby requests the Palestinian authorities in Gaza to immediately release Paul Martin," it said.

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