Why is there so much jihad terrorism around the world these days? Because it works. These thugs know that they can take hostages and get governments to do their bidding. If Sajida al-Rishawi murders any more people in the cause of Islam and jihad, the blood will be on the hands of the governments of Jordan and Japan.
“Jordan ready to swap terrorist for pilot held by Islamic State,” by Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, January 28, 2015:
Jordan announced Wednesday it is willing to trade an raqi [sic] prisoner convicted of terrorism in exchange for a Jordanian pilot captured by the self-described Islamic State. The announcement came on Jordanian state television just ahead of a deadline imposed by the IS militant group.
In a video released Tuesday, Jordan was given 24 hours to release Sajida al-Rishawi, a convicted suicide bomber. If not released, the Islamic State threatened to kill a captured Japanese reporter and the Jordanian pilot. Kenji Goto, the journalist, relayed the terrorist group’s message while holding a photo of Moaz al-Kasasbeh, the pilot.
“Jordan confirms that it is completely prepared to release the prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi if Moaz al-Kasasbeh is released and his life is intact,” a government statement said. There was no mention of Mr. Goto, the captive journalist.
Ms. Rishawi is on death row in Jordan for her role in a 2005 Al Qaeda attack on three hotels in the capital of Amman that killed 60 people, The Associated Press reports. She was arrested after her suicide vest of explosives didn’t detonate.
The pilot, Mr. Kaseasbeh, was captured by IS after his fighter jet crashed in December over Raqqa, Syria.
Jordan has been under public pressure to negotiate with IS. Many Jordanians don’t agree with their country’s role in US-led airstrikes on the terrorist group, the BBC reports: “They want their captured pilot to come home alive and for Jordan to stay out of the fight against IS.”
Late Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, several hundred people demonstrated in front of the prime minister’s office to in support of Kaseasbeh. “Who is Sajida to us?” Youssef al-Kasasbeh, the captured pilot’s father, asked.
“Sajida is a burden on us, let them release her. I am asking for the release of Sajida and all the prisoners, and the return of Moaz to us,” he said….
In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe called the extremists’ threat a “despicable act.”“Within this extremely severe context, the government of Japan is requesting cooperation from the government of Jordan to bring about the early release of Mr. Goto,” Mr. Abe said Wednesday. “This policy will remain unchanged going forward.”
katnis says
I hope that she is not released. Ms. Rishawi is on death row in Jordan for her role in a 2005 Al Qaeda attack on three hotels in the capital of Amman that killed 60 people. She was prepared to die once, she will do it again. She is a hero to her community, and a threat to the rest of the world.
Angemon says
I understand the pilot’s father point, but you simply don’t negotiate with terrorists, unles you’re trying to buy time to find them and destroy them.
Neil Jennison says
Yes, the sad fact is nobody should ever negotiate with terrorists. If they gain concessions because of their barbaric acts then they will commit more and more of them.
AJ Liberphile says
I can’t wait for the day when a threatened nation responds appropriately to pislamic states with an appropriate statement such as “Fuck You, your deranged prophet, your imaginary moon god, and the goat you rode in on.”
William says
If Obama can trade five of the most dangerous Mohammedan terrorists for a treasonous deserter, then why shouldn’t Jordan make a more profitable trade.
Salah says
“Why is there so much jihad terrorism around the world these days? Because it works.”
This is why terrorists must not be punished with jail time. Terrorists must be executed as soon as they are convicted.
Laws need to change and adapt. Human (terrorists’) Rights organisations need to SHUT UP.