GAZA, April 19, 2007, (WAFA)-National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in United Kingdom and Ireland expressed deep appreciations at solidarity shown in Palestine on the abducted BBC correspondent Alan Johnston.

In a message delivered to Palestinian journalists on behalf of General Secretary of the IFJ, Aidan White, UNJ said that the relationship between our two unions is not new. "Since a UNJ delegation visited Palestine at the beginning of the Intifada, our relationship has grown from strength to strength."

"Over these two decades we have done everything in our power to support the plight of our colleagues in Palestine. We stood shoulder to shoulder with you and fought on many occasions-be it to the fight to release imprisoned journalists, or to protest the shootings of journalists, or to demand that Israeli authorities recognized your status as journalists," according to the message.

UNJ added that the kidnapping and continued detention of Alan has been an important test in this relationship.

"It is a major tragedy for us and for the community of journalists in the UK and Ireland. But the action taken by your journalists have been awe-inspiring. Every strike or sit-in or statement had an overwhelming resonance among our journalists and caught their imagination."

UNJ thanked PSJ and its officials for ensuring that the plight of Alan remains top of the political agenda in Palestine.

UNJ concluded that " Free Alan"slogan has unified all the political factions and rival organizations in Palestine. " We are convinced that you will continue to do whatever you can to help free Alan."

M.H.(14:40 P)(11:40 GMT)