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WASHINGTON: Second-ranking al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri called
for new strikes against Jewish and American interests in a new radio
address monitored here.
“Muslims, today is your day. Strike the
interests of the Jews, the Americans, and all of those who
participated in the attack on the Muslims,” Zawahiri said in an
audio speech issued by al-Qaeda’s As-Sahab information network on
Sunday and monitored here by SITE Intelligence Group.
Zawahiri urged the faithful to “monitor the
targets, collect the money, bring the equipment, plan accurately,
and then, while depending on Allah, storm, seeking martyrdom and
paradise.”
The address became the second public message
coming from the al-Qaeda leadership in less than a week.
On March 20, Osama bin Laden insisted in a
similar appeal to his followers that the only way to liberate
Palestine is not through negotiations or dialogue, but “iron and
fire.”
He also urged Muslims to participate in military
operations against US forces in Iraq as a means of fighting for
Muslim holy places in Jerusalem.
Zawahiri’s message coincided with a visit to
the West Bank by US Vice-President Dick Cheney, who warned on Sunday
that attacks on Israel by Palestinian militants were killing hopes
for their “long overdue” state.
Cheney made his first trip as vice-president to
the West Bank for talks with moderate President Mahmud Abbas,
following a string of meetings with Israeli leaders, with whom he
also discussed Israel’s archrival Iran.
In the speech titled “Rush to Support Our
People in Gaza,” Zawahiri blasts what he sees as collusion between
the United States, Israel, Egypt, and other Arab states against the
Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and its people.
He accuses Israel and its allies of restricting
access for Palestinians to the most basic necessities and killing
them. The al-Qaeda leader also encourages Muslims to support
Palestinians through decisive actions against these states, rather
than demonstrating their disapproval by other means.
“Let us strike their interests everywhere,
just like they gathered against us from everywhere,” Zawahiri
said. “Let it be known to them that they will get blood for every
dollar they spend in the killing of Muslims, and for every bullet
they fire against us, a volcano will turn back on them.”
He insisted that Israeli warplanes were bombing
people in Gaza “based on the American decision, the Egyptian
siege, and Arab collusion.”
“They will never be able to insult and make a
mockery out of our Prophet, peace and prayers of Allah upon him,”
Zawahiri stressed. “They cannot expect to support Israel, then
live in peace and enjoyment while the Jews are killing our fugitive
and surrounded people.”
-- AFP
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