(Reuters/New York Times) New York Times bureau chief for Israel James Bennet was the target of a kidnap attempt by Palestinians in Gaza on Wednesday. Bennet said he was speaking on a cellphone in front of a Rafah hospital when a Palestinian he did not know came up, smiled, and offered his hand, saying "Welcome.'' When Bennet shook his hand, the man and another Palestinian grabbed him and tried to thrust him into an old Mercedes car that pulled up with its back door open. An abduction was averted only by police at the hospital, who ran to Bennet's assistance in response to his struggle and cries.
2004-05-20 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive