“Obama’s policy is nothing but another cycle in the Crusader and Zionist campaign to enslave and humiliate us, and to occupy our land and steal our wealth.”
I think Al-Qaeda’s Ed McMahon is wrong about that. Obama is hardly a Zionist, and doesn’t seem interested in enslaving or humiliating Muslims — quite the contrary. But Zawahiri appears rattled by Obama’s popularity in the Islamic world, and so indulges heavily in jihad language in response, trying to recall Muslims to their loyalty to Islam. Ultimately, however, Obama’s policy of appeasement and concessions will only aid the advance of Zawahiri’s jihad, whether or not Zawhiri himself realizes that.
“Al-Qaida No. 2 blasts Obama, US Arab allies,” by Salah Nasrawi for AP, December 14:
CAIRO — Al-Qaida’s deputy leader on Monday accused President Barack Obama of deceiving the Arab world and failing to advance Middle East peace talks, and said the militants’ struggle against the United States and its allies is “a war between Muslims and infidels.”
In a new message posted on the Internet, Ayman Al-Zawahri claimed Obama has brought the region nothing but “blockade and siege” despite efforts to reach out to Arabs.
“Obama’s plan, though wrapped in smiles and calls for respect and understanding, aims only to support Israel,” al-Zawahri said in a 26-minute audio message.
Osama bin Laden’s deputy has been critical of Obama since his election, even releasing a message that referred to the U.S. president as a “house negro,” a slur for a black subservient to whites.
“Obama’s policy is nothing but another cycle in the Crusader and Zionist campaign to enslave and humiliate us, and to occupy our land and steal our wealth,” al-Zawahri said.
The authenticity of the statement could not be independently verified, but it was posted on a Web site commonly used for militant messaging….
He urged Muslims and Palestinians to wage holy war, or jihad, not only in Israel and the Palestinian territories but also beyond those areas, saying there are “ample opportunities elsewhere.”
He praised Muslim militants fighting in Pakistan, saying the conflict there was a “war of Muslim dignity and pride” and warned the Palestinians against any negotiations with Israel.
“We should continue jihad to liberate Palestinian land and establish an Islamic state there. We should wage jihad against Jews and all those who support them, whether they are Americans or Westerners,” he said….