President Barack Obama condemned Saturday the “heinous murder” of a Japanese hostage after the Islamic State group released a video purportedly showing his beheading. The clip also drew strong denunciations from France and Britain, with British Prime Minister David Cameron saying the group was the “embodiment of evil,” and French President Francois Hollande “resolutely” condemning the killing.
“Through his reporting, Mr Goto courageously sought to convey the plight of the Syrian people to the outside world.”
The claim was made in a video released online that included no mention of a Jordanian pilot also being held by IS, whom the jihadist group has also threatened to kill.
Japanese journalist Kenji Goto is seen kneeling next to a standing masked man who speaks with a British accent and blames the Japanese government for his “slaughter.”
He was the second Japanese hostage beheaded by IS, after the group claimed responsibility last week for the killing of self-described contractor Haruna Yukawa, after the expiration of a 72-hour deadline during which the jihadists had asked Tokyo to pay a $200 million ransom.
“Our thoughts are with Mr Goto’s family and loved ones, and we stand today in solidarity with Prime Minister Abe and the Japanese people in denouncing this barbaric act,” Obama said.
“We applaud Japan’s steadfast commitment to advancing peace and prosperity in the Middle East and globally, including its generous assistance for innocent people affected by the conflicts in the region.”
The apparent execution came after Japan said negotiations to win Goto’s release in a prisoner exchange had stalled.
The IS group had vowed to kill Goto and Jordanian pilot Maaz al-Kassasbeh by sunset Thursday unless Amman handed over an Iraqi female jihadist.
White House National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said earlier that the United States was working to confirm the video’s authenticity.
“Standing together with a broad coalition of allies and partners, the United States will continue taking decisive action to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL,” Obama vowed.
Cameron Saturday condemned as “appalling” the purported killing.
“I utterly condemn what appears to be the despicable and appalling murder of Kenji Goto,” Cameron said in a statement.
“It is a further reminder that ISIL (IS) is the embodiment of evil, with no regard for human life.”
Cameron added that Japan was “right not to bow to terrorism” following the killing of Goto and Yukawa.
“The way we will defeat ISIL is not by giving in to these terrorists but by confronting them and their poisonous ideology,” the British leader said.
Hollande Sunday said he “resolutely condemned the brutal murder of Japanese citizen Kenji Goto by Daesh,” using an alternative acronym for the group, according to a statement from his office.
“France stands in solidarity with Japan in this new ordeal,” Hollande said, adding that France and Japan would “continue to work together for peace in the Middle East and to eliminate terrorist groups.”
