Palestinian Gunmen Free Cnn Journalist

Palestinian gunmen yesterday released a CNN journalist abducted in Gaza City apparently to pressure members of an Arab minority group not to serve in the Israeli army.

Riad Ali, an Arab Israeli who is a member of the Druze minority, was snatched on Monday by gunmen who stopped a car carrying the CNN reporter Ben Wedeman and his crew. The kidnappers asked for Ali by name, ignoring Wedeman and a camerawoman in the car, who are both American.

Before Ali's release, a video was made public of the CNN producer and translator appealing for fellow Druze not to serve in the Israeli military.

Ali did not serve in the military and colleagues said he was known as an Arab nationalist who had worked to bring Palestinians and Jews together.