GlobalPost, the Boston-based news organization James Foley worked for, released Islamic State’s (Isis) last email to the Foley family, a week before the he was murdered, the footage of which was uploaded online warning the U.S. to stop attacking the rebels’ territories.
Foley’s parents received the email on August 12, saying that their son would be “executed” after several attempts to negotiate with them and the U.S. government, the GlobalPost reported. The move, Islamic militants said, is in retaliation for the recent American airstrikes in Iraq.
Foley has been held captive for almost two years. He was abducted on November 22, 2012 along with his translator, who was later released.
According to the GlobalPost, the company, Foley’s family, government authorities and private security firms had been investigating Foley’s whereabouts and attempting to secure his release since his disappearance.
There are three other American hostages in Syria–one of which is Steven Sotloff, a journalist for TIME magazine, whom they have also threaten to kill if the U.S. does not stop the bombings in their territories.
The GlobalPost released the email with the Foley family’s permission and “has chosen to publish it in full in the interest of transparency and to fully tell Jim’s story. We believe the text offers insight into the motivations and tactics of the Islamic State.”
However, the media outfit belied Isis’ claims that the Foley family were given “many chances to negotiate” with them. GlobalPost said for more than a year since his capture, Foley’s family do not know his whereabouts until they received an email from Isis on November 26, 2013, demanding a $130-million ransom, The Independent reported.
The next email the Foley’s received apparently was the last.
Here is the full text of the militants’ last email to the Foley family:
HOW LONG WILL THE SHEEP FOLLOW THE BLIND SHEPPARD?
A message to the American government and their sheep like citizens:
We have left you alone since your disgraceful defeat in Iraq. We did not interfere in your country or attack your citizens while they were safe in their homes despite our capability to do so!
As for the scum of your society who are held prisoner by us, THEY DARED TO ENTER THE LION’S DEN AND WHERE EATEN!
You were given many chances to negotiate the release of your people via cash transactions as other governments have accepted,
We have also offered prisoner exchanges to free the Muslims currently in your detention like our sister Dr Afia Sidiqqi, however you proved very quickly to us that this is NOT what you are interested in.
You have no motivation to deal with the Muslims except with the language of force, a language you were given in “Arabic translation” when you attempted to occupy the land of Iraq!
Now you return to bomb the Muslims of Iraq once again, this time resorting to Arial attacks and “proxy armies”, all the while cowardly shying away from a face-to-face confrontation!Today our swords are unsheathed towards you, GOVERNMENT AND CITIZENS ALIKE! AND WE WILL NOT STOP UNTILL WE QUENCH OUR THIRST FOR YOUR BLOOD.
You do not spare our weak, elderly, women or children so we will NOT spare yours!
You and your citizens will pay the price of your bombings!
The first of which being the blood of the American citizen, James Foley!
He will be executed as a DIRECT result of your transgressions towards us!
