Here is another report on Moussaoui’s recent statements, containing some that are highly illuminating.
Moussaoui says that suicide bombings are “not crazy but based on Islam.” As I have explained many times, Muslims who justify such missions usually base them on Qur’an 9:111, which promises Paradise to those who “slay and are slain” for Allah. But most Western analysts will continue to ignore this and to assume that suicide bombers are in fact crazy, or motivated by poverty (despite the spate of studies that show them to be generally well off) or by political calculation. Few, if any, in any positions of influence will examine the basis on which Moussaoui is saying this — and not just Moussaoui, but influential Islamic teachers like Sheikh Qaradawi.
“Moussaoui Tells Court 9/11’s Toll Was Too Low,” from the Bandar Beacon, aka the Washington Post, with thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist:
Moussaoui laughed when Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Spencer asked if he thought the United States was destined to fall. “I know it, I know it,” he said. He stared at Spencer as the prosecutor inquired, “You wake up every day to destroy the United States, don’t you?”
“To the best of my ability,” Moussaoui responded.
“It was your choice to accept a suicide mission from Osama bin Laden,” Spencer stated.
“It was my pleasure,” Moussaoui clarified….
Moussaoui said his previous statements, including his wish to be executed as a martyr, were all part of his battle against America. “This is what I call psychological war or propaganda,” he said.
Invited by Zerkin to explain why he hates America, Moussaoui said much of the reason is U.S. support for Israel, saying the Jewish state was “a creation of the Jewish community of New York and London. . . . For me, the Jewish state of Palestine is a missing star in the American flag. You are the head of the snake for me. If I want to destroy the Jewish state of Palestine, I have to destroy you.”
Staring directly at Zerkin, who is Jewish, Moussaoui calmly said that he and other Muslims want to “exterminate” American Jews. Zerkin stared impassively back….
Asked by Spencer whether he had any regrets at all, Moussaoui said, “There is no regret for justice.”…
After Moussaoui endorsed suicide bombing missions as “not crazy but based on Islam,” Spencer said softly, “You would do it again tomorrow if you could, wouldn’t you?”
“Today,” Moussaoui answered, smiling.
And no, I am not this prosecutor. I wonder if he gets as many inquiries asking if he is I as I get asking if I am he.