Bin Laden. Identifies with Gazans
Photo: Reuters
Bin Laden: Gaza offensive a holocaust
Osama Bin Laden slams Arab leaders for 'collaborating with Israel,' failing to stop Gaza op
Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden accused several Arab countries of collaborating with Israel in a new audio recording aired by al-Jazeera Saturday.
"It's clear that a number of Arab leaders have collaborated with the Zionist-crusader coalition against our people," Bin Laden said.
He also dubbed Israel's offensive in Gaza a "holocaust" and blamed Arab leaders for not doing enough to stop the fighting. He did not name any specific countries.
"The disaster in Gaza is an important historical event. It is a sudden disaster that constitutes a significant milestone. The path to al-Aqsa mosque requires true and honest leadership," he said.
The Qatar-based Arabic satellite network did not say how it obtained the recording, and the authenticity of the tape could not be verified.
During Operation Cast Lead, the al-Qaeda leader called on all Muslims to launch a jihad against Israel in order to halt the offensive in Gaza. "The Lord has bestowed upon us the patience to continue on the path of jihad," he said.
Addressing the Palestinians, bin Laden added, "You have suffered much. The Muslims identify with you in what they see and hear. We, the Mujahideen, also identify with you. We are with you and will not disappoint you. Our fate is tied with yours, in the battle against the Zionist-crusader coalition, in a battle until death or martyrdom."
