world

Bin Laden: Arab leaders 'complicit' with Israel

31 Comments

Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden accused some Arab leaders of being "complicit" with Israel and the West against Muslims and urged holy war to liberate the Palestinian territories, in an audio tape broadcast by Al-Jazeera television on Saturday.

"It has become clear that some Arab leaders were complicit with the Crusader Zionist alliance against our people. These are the leaders that America calls moderate," said bin Laden, without singling out any leaders.

"The countries of the Muslim world from Indonesia to Mauritania are divided into two: Some of them are crooked, while others are even more crooked," he added, in excerpts of the tape aired by the Doha-based channel.

In the tape, whose authenticity could not be confirmed, bin Laden labeled the devastating offensive by Israel against Gaza at the new year as a Holocaust.

"The Holocaust of Gaza amid a long siege is an important historical event that confirms the importance of distinguishing between Muslims and hypocrites," said the al-Qaida leader, who carries a $25 million U.S. bounty on his head.

He called on jihadists to "liberate" Iraq from the U.S. army and then launch attacks on Israel from Jordan.

"We should work hard and prepare for jihad (holy war) in order to bring about what is right," said bin Laden, who is widely believed to have found refuge in Pakistan's largely lawless tribal areas on the border with Afghanistan.

"There is a precious rare chance for those who have a sincere desire to liberate Al-Aqsa mosque (in Jerusalem), which is by supporting the mujahedeen in Iraq ... and then going to Jordan as it is the best and widest of fronts."

From Jordan, jihadists should launch into the West Bank and its neighboring areas, he said.

"The road to the liberation of Gaza needs real, sincere, independent, strong and honest leaders who are on top of major events," he added.

Bin Laden suggested compiling a list of people "whose efforts serve our enemies" and said committees should be formed in Muslim countries to raise awareness among citizens. He did not elaborate.

The United States downplayed the recording, saying there was nothing new in it.

"Al-Qaida addresses these themes with some frequency and at this point, there doesn't appear to be anything new here," a counterterrorism official said. "These are well-worn themes for al-Qaida."

The tape was the second by bin Laden in two months in which he has focused on the Gaza offensive.

On Jan 14, he called on Muslims across the world to take revenge against Israel for the blitz, charging that the onslaught had been timed to take advantage of the dying days of the presidency of George W Bush.

The 22-day Israeli offensive on Gaza, which ended on Jan 18 and killed more than 1,300 Palestinians, caused a rift between Egypt and Saudi Arabia on the one hand and Syria and Qatar on the other.

Egypt faced criticism for refusing to permanently open its Rafah border crossing with Gaza, and Syria accused it of bias toward the Palestinian Fatah movement in reconciliation talks with rival faction Hamas, Gaza's rulers.

Cairo has lashed out at Arab countries it says have done nothing to help the Palestinian cause and offer only rhetoric. It has also criticized Iran, which backed Hamas during the war, for "interfering" in an Arab cause.

Egypt is still acting as a broker in a bid to secure a permanent truce in the Gaza conflict after Israel and Hamas declared unilateral ceasefires on Jan 18.

At the same time, it is mediating intra-Palestinian talks aimed at bringing an end to the rift between Hamas and Fatah that would see the two leading factions agree on a unity government.

Jordan's King Abdullah II has been a consistent supporter of efforts to bring about a two-state settlement to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

© Wire reports

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

31 Comments
Login to comment

WOW all I got from that was lauddy dauddy has a 25mill bounty, the same that Saddam had, but Saddams boy had a 30 mill which was paid out.

So are dubya and dead eye dick hiding with him or what.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

DXXJP, Bush can be found at the Crawford Ranch where he's often visited by Cheney.

Bin Laden is in a hole in the ground somewhere... for the rest of his life.

Cool beans.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ronin - I'll believe that when I see OBL hanging dead from a noose and not one second sooner.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Believe what, dude?

You seen him shoppin' in Rapponji?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sorry to confuse you, Ronin. Let me clarify:

Your comment:

Bin Laden is in a hole in the ground somewhere... for the rest of his life.

My comment:

I'll believe that when I see OBL hanging dead from a noose and not one second sooner.

That's clear enough for a rational adult. Btw, what the hell is "Rapponji"?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"So are dubya and dead eye dick hiding with him or what."

Likely... or his family, with their private flying rights, at any rate.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"He called on jihadists to "liberate" Iraq from the U.S. army"

The man has no patience. Iraq will be free of the U.S. Army in just a couple of more years, jihadists or no jihadists.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bin Laden sound a lot like Rush Limbaugh or the other way around. How the mighty have fallen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Bin Laden sound(s) a lot like Rush Limbaugh"

Ho ho ho!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Heh. It's the same "unified Arab Street" that was going to "rise up" against "BushCo."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bin Ladin urges Jihad to destroy Israel? Hold the presses! Aren´t we always told that jihad is simple a spiritual quest and has nothing to do with physical war?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bin Laden has become the modern face of Islam for those outside the cult. Yes, it really is a shame he hasn't been caught yet.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

WilliB: "Aren´t we always told that jihad is simple a spiritual quest and has nothing to do with physical war?"

From a guy who thinks humanity should euthanize itself to ensure its survival, this is not a surprising statement. The literal translation of 'jihad' is "struggle". You could therefore actually say "WilliB's jihad is posting something rational" and you wouldn't be misusing the term.

The way 'jihad' is used in this article is but one usage of the word, since we're getting technical. The saddest part about this whole thing is that some of you on here are gladly using OBL as a tool to attack fellow Americans you don't agree with, or non-Americans who don't share your tunnel-vision politics.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bin Laden has become the modern face of Islam for those outside the cult.

The same can be said for Rush Limbaugh: the modern face of the GOP for those outside the cult.

The parallels between these two whack jobs are striking.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

“It has become clear that some Arab leaders were complicit with the Crusader Zionist alliance against our people. These are the leaders that America calls moderate,” said bin Laden, without singling out any leaders.

And lemme guess...they'd be much better off with you as their leader, right? ;)

"He called on jihadists to "liberate" Iraq from the U.S. army"

The only problem is that Iraqis are the ones busy killing Al Queda in Iraq. Bin Laden was basically handed a country with a percentage of the population frothing at the mouth to attack the US....and instead they turned their guns towards Al Queda. What does that tell you, OBL?

buddha: Bin Laden sound a lot like Rush Limbaugh

Actually I saw similarities between Bin Laden's words and the radical left on this board. I believe we had a lengthy debate about the use of the word "holocaust." Looks like some people here were in agreement with Bin Laden.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

...who don't share your (American) tunnel-vision politics.

Yes, unlike enlightened Euros who still keep failin' to figure it out century after century.

Heh, heh...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Actually I saw similarities between Bin Laden's words and the radical left on this board.

I am not surprised, the radical (or fundamentalist) left and right are two nuts in the same shell.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The radical left and united are united in their hatred of democracy and globalilzation, like bin Laden.

That makes the US target number one for the overwhelming majority of them.

Going after the only democracy in the ME also thrills many of em.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

make that - The radical left and radical right are united in their hatred of democracy and globalization, like bin Laden.

That makes the US target number one for the overwhelming majority of them.

Going after the only democracy in the ME also thrills many of em.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

USARonin: "Yes, unlike enlightened Euros who still keep failin' to figure it out century after century. Heh, heh..."

I'm glad you at least got it right this time that I was referring to you and not Americans in general in regards to YOUR tunnel-vision. You got the European part wrong, though. Again, with the tunnel-vision that's not surprising.

rollonarte: "Going after the only democracy in the ME also thrills many of em"

Which democracy is that? Israel or Iraq? if there's only one, which one is not? Your words, not mine.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I thought Afghanistan was a democracy as well.

I am not surprised, the radical (or fundamentalist) left and right are two nuts in the same shell.

Nut is well chosen word, as old saying goes the more things change, the more they stay(are) the same.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

buddha4brains:I am not surprised, the radical (or fundamentalist) left and right are two nuts in the same shell.

Absolutely bang on!Your postings are among the best here,they are a real breath of fresh air my friend, and they help with the loneliness too.

Anyways, we all know that the only reason Usama bin Laden is still on the loose is because bush, who was the worst president ever, from the get-go, LET him go AND flew his family members out of America.

I guess the few remaining rightists here,who can't even bother to EDUCATE themselves about the meaning of the term "jihad" can't HANDLE the truth.I have done many lessons on the media's stereotypization of Muslims,as I am sure you have.Keep up the good fight, compadre!

In a way though I feel that bin Laden has some valid points, but I won't go there because certain kiddies on this site have a black and white world.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The literal translation of 'jihad' is "struggle".

Gee whiz. I guess Jihad isn't such a bad thing after all. I feel better about it now. Thanks smith.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Helter: "Gee whiz. I guess Jihad isn't such a bad thing after all. I feel better about it now. Thanks smith."

You're welcome. And what Osama is declaring is not at all a good thing. I was merely pointing out a fact -- the translation of 'jihad'.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bin Laden is dead, as reported by that bastion of truth, FOX News, on December 26 2001. The reason he's not been found is exactly that. Check: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,41576,00.html THIS is why the FBI closed the team searching for him down. No point hunting a dead guy, is there?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I agree with LIBERTAS

I don't benieve this report. Someone is using Bin Laden's name AGAIN for it's convenience. Many intelligence agencies think that Bin Laden is dead in the US military hospital in Pakistan in Dec 2001.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Um you might want to look up and see when his mother died. Was rumored he came to the funeral in Saudi.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If OBL was alredy dead long time ago president Obama should know all about it by now ,I think. No point in following him to his cave anymore like during the election campaign? But seriously how can the public know when OBL is dead since this possibility is completely based on trust and/or on time(like 70 years later OBL will be surely dead).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bin Laden is not searched or wanted officially by the USA for 9/11 attacks, nor by the Interpol. So if he is still alive, he doesn’t need to hide. He can peacefully live anywhere in the world (maybe except in the USA :) Obama needs a reason to send more troops to Afghanistan, he wouldn’t dare to acknowledge that Bin Laden is already dead.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"an audio tape"

Gosh, can't he do a video recording? Heck, a cellphone recording will do.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think some of the free nations of the West are probably now happy to to let OBL continue with his futile and counterproductive campaign (conducted with Al Jazeera's complicity) of gunning to be the new Caliph.

Unfortunately for many Mohammedans, OBL really is the face of Islam in the modern world.

Try to imagine what an embarrassment this monster is to a young, secular Turkish national hoping for full integration with the EU when he or she reads of stadiums full of Mexican soccer fans chanting "Bin Laden! Bin Laden!" when the US nat'l team goes to Mexico City for a match.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites