The deputy leader of Al-Qaeda, Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahiri, called for new strikes against Jewish and American interests in a new audio address. "Muslims, today is your day. Strike the interests of the Jews, the Americans, and all of those who participated in the attack on the Muslims," Zawahiri said in an audio speech issued by Al-Qaeda's As-Sahab information network.
According to AFP, Zawahiri urged the faithful to "monitor the targets, collect the money, bring the equipment, plan accurately, and then -- while depending on Allah -- storm, seeking martyrdom and paradise."
In the speech titled "Rush to Support Our People in Gaza", Al-Qaeda's No. 2 slams what he sees as collusion between the United States, Israel, Egypt, and other Arab states against the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and its people. He accuses Israel and its allies of restricting access for Palestinians to the most basic necessities and killing them. The Al-Qaeda leader also urges Muslims to support Palestinians through decisive actions against these states, rather than demonstrating their disapproval by other means. "Let us strike their interests everywhere, just like they gathered against us from everywhere," Zawahiri said. "Let it be known to them that they will get blood for every dollar they spend in the killing of the Muslims, and for every bullet they fire against us, a volcano will turn back on them."
He insisted that Israeli warplanes were bombing people in Gaza "based on the American decision, the Egyptian siege, and Arab collusion."
"They will never be able to insult and make a mockery out of our Prophet, peace and prayers of Allah upon him," Zawahiri went on to conclude. "They cannot expect to support Israel, then live in peace and enjoyment while the Jews are killing our fugitive and surrounded people."
