Zawahiri Threatens Revenge for Israeli Attacks
27 July 2006
Al-Qaida's number two leader has vowed revenge for Israel's offensives in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.
In a taped message broadcast by al-Jazeera Arabic television Thursday, Ayman al-Zawahiri said the terrorist network will not remain silent while Israeli bombardments "burn our brothers."
He called on Muslims to rise up and become martyrs in a worldwide Jihad against Israel and what he called the crusader coalition. Al-Qaida uses the word "crusader" to refer to Israel's western supporters including the United States.
He said every participant in the crime will pay the price.
Zawahiri, an Egyptian, called Arab nations impotent and treacherous, referring to their muted response to Israel's military campaigns.
A photograph on the wall behind Zawahiri showed the World Trade Center towers, attacked in September 2001, in flames.
The message from Osama bin Laden's deputy is the first from al-Qaida since Israel's Lebanon campaign began on July 12. It is an indication that al-Qaida, which is made up of Sunni Muslim extremists, is prepared to set aside sectarian differences and help the Shi'ite Hezbollah movement.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
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