Several UK aid workers/activitsts have had their ship, part of the Road to Hope effort to deliver aid to Gaza, “seized” by Greek Commandos. While the aid workers remain in questionably safe surroundings (they have access to a couch and water, but “not drinking” water), it’s worth pointing out several interesting aspects of this hijacking:
1) Being attacked by commandos “with guns” is apparently not the same as being “held at gunpoint.”
2) The British Foreign Office, as well as the press, are getting much of their information from Facebook, Twitter and text updates sent by both hostages and perpetrators.
It’s not terribly surprising that this group is having difficulty getting to Gaza, especially given their recent trouble getting permission to travel through Egypt, but it’s amazing that every move they make can be tracked via social networking sites. Hostage negotiation may take a different turn in the future if hostages can simply text their negotiating teams. (Of course, I’m ignoring the fact that cell phones can easily be taken away, but it seems that the activists have access to more sophisticated technology if they’re on Twitter and Facebook- perhaps this is how the Commandos demonstrate that the activists aren’t being held against their will, despite the “presence of guns”: look! They’re on Facebook! Watch, while they Tweet their satisfaction with their captivity.”)
