Mother of James Foley Releases Statement on Beheading Death by ISIS, Urges People to Refrain From Sharing Video and Images

The video of James Foley being executed was available for a short while on YouTube by the group claiming responsibility, ISIS, yesterday. However, it was quickly removed. Now that it's been confirmed that the video actually did show the murder of the freelance journalist who was kidnapped in Syria two years ago, his mother has taken to social media to honor her son and ask that people stop promoting the video that showed her son's death.

The message which appeared to the 16,000-plus followers and fans of the Facebook page, "Find James Foley" was short and to the point. "We have never been prouder of our son Jim. He gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people," wrote Diane Foley.

"We implore the kidnappers to spare the lives of the remaining hostages," she wrote referencing Steve Sotloff, another journalist who appeared in the video, but was not beheaded. "Like Jim, they are innocents. They have no control over American government policy in Iraq, Syria or anywhere in the world," Diane Foley added. "We thank Jim for all the joy he gave us. He was an extraordinary son, brother, journalist and person. Please respect our privacy in the days ahead as we mourn and cherish Jim."

The Twitter hashtag #ISISmediablackout followed shortly after news of the video started to spread through social media, leading Twitter to suspend accounts for people who shared images and video links of the beheading. 

"We have been and are actively suspending accounts as we discover them related to this graphic imagery. Thank you," Twitter CEO Dick Costolo tweeted on Wednesday. 

According to the UK Telegraph, Foley was brave while in captivity. "French journalists, Nicholas Henin, said Foley 'took a lot of punishment'," the Telegraph wrote, "But was a 'very brave guy who would never cry. He stood up and remained dignified.'"

President Barack Obama condemned the beheading by the Islamic State, saying it was appalling and "an act of violence that shocks the conscience of the entire world." Obama added that people who destroy do not win. And that the U.S. would "do what we must to protect our people."

Other government officials issued statements regarding the beheading video after it was confirmed to be Foley.

"James Foley went to the darkest of places to shine the light of truth. Nothing could stop him from sharing with the world the reality of what was happening on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan," Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement.

The video, which was still available, but in edited format by late Tuesday showed a man in an orange jumpsuit, Foley, with another man in a black outfit that covered his face. After Foley read a message, he was shown having his head cut by the throat, the screen went black and then you see the body of Foley lying on his stomach with the head perched on his back.