Group calling itself al-Qaida in Palestine posts Web video
Video shows previously-aired footage of bin-Laden and denounces those who "work in the service of the Jews."
By Associated PressA group calling itself al-Qaida in Palestine posted a Web video Wednesday denouncing those who "work in the service of the Jews."
The 5-minute video contains previously-aired clips of Osama bin Laden and slain al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, as well as footage of a masked man sitting alongside an automatic weapon and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.
"My speech is directed against... those who announce blasphemy against Islam and who are allied with enemies of God and religion, and work in the service of the Jews and the Christians," the man said.
It was unclear how large or sophisticated the group was, or whether it was indeed linked to al-Qaida. It has never claimed responsibility for any attacks.
The video surfaced as U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held a news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.
The man on the video identifies himself as Abu Hafs, a field commander for the group al-Qaida in Palestine. He appeared to criticize Palestinian leaders without naming them, along with Palestinians he viewed as not doing enough for their national cause.
A senior Palestinian security official in Gaza said he had never heard of Abu Hafs and could not confirm or deny the existence of the group.
"They own investments, companies and real estate inside and outside the country while the people are starving and without clothes," he said. Big salaries had lured some Palestinians to cooperate with Israel "like a herd of sheep," he said.
Speaking directly to Palestinians, the man said: "In every crisis, your leaders flee abroad and hand you over to killing and horror."
Some Israeli media have reported that al-Qaida was trying to build cells in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, and Israel has indicted two West Bank militants for al-Qaida membership.
The man on the video threatened "a severe war (against) anyone who carries a weapon defending a traitor, an informer or a security coordinator."
"He will be a target for our swords if he does not repent and return to the people's ranks.... Be aware not to accompany them to death," he warned.
The Palestinian security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he did not believe there are any Al-Qaida cells present in Gaza, though there may be individuals who sympathize with the group's ideology.
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..."denouncing those who "work in the service of the Jews..." Get prepare for SHOWTIME from Al-Qaeda.
Dave, I find myself agreeing with much of what you wrote. My only gripe is with your descent to name calling: you may try to cheapen what the word 'Arab' means; you may feed on hostility to what 'Arab' is felt by some to mean; but I wish you two things. First, I hope you don't have to live in a world where all that you feel is good is used as a term of abuse, and second I wish you a friend who will teach you what a good thing it can be to be an Arab.
I remember the 1973 Yom Kippur war when the Egyptians and Syrians had an initial advantage but then after a few days the Israelis regrouped and routed their adversaries, taking even more land than they already occupied. But for years those dumbass Arabs shouted "victory". It always made me laugh. I wonder how the families of the 1000 Lebanese dead feel when they hear morons like Linthwaite shout to the skies that hezzy, who on the orders of Iran provoked this war, won. I"d also like to know what they won: I don't see Shebaa farms in Lebanese hands. I don't see Lebanese prisoners in Israel freed. I do see Lebanese and UNIFIL troops in southern Lebanon which will make it much harder for pig-face nasrallah to carry out his boss ahmedinejad's orders. Hezzy won, eh? Oh well, some people like to live in a dream world. Dream on son! lol Personally, I don't think anyone won. But I do know a Middle East fact of life: If Israel ever TRULY lost a war, there would BE no Israel.
Islamic extremists like al-Qaida take the position that Muslims are oppressed by the west, in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and even in pro-western Muslim nations like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. While not condoning the terrorism they employ I can see their point and in many ways they are correct. But what is their ultimate goal? If these extremists were ever completely successful they would eradicate western influence in the Islamic world from Morocco to Indonesia, but what would they replace it with? We saw a glimpse of it when the Teleban ruled Afghanistan: that's what Osama bin-Ladin wants for the entire Muslim world: a viciously oppressive police state, especially for women, where television, music, dancing, and any other such pleasures is outlawed on pain of death or imprisonment, women living their lives covered by the borqa, men who must attend mosque 5 times a day and grow beards. That's the paradox. Islamic extremists want to replace western "oppression" with their own brand.
you can defeat the new alqaida, give to the people their rights
Chris is so typical of the people that blame the Jews for the actions of there enamys
I didn't know that Afganistan is now Israeli territory; or that Osama is a Jew in disguise...But live and learn...
I just find it strange that this appears now, with Condie Rice visiting, Israel having lost a war and Iran about to go nuclear. Al Qaeda's natural enemy is Israel and the US, a hotchpot video clipped together using clips already shown is not standard Al Qaeda practice. As a trawl of any acknowledge anti terrorist website will tell you. But hey I is a left wing nut what do I know
The threat should not be discounted. It is a threat against Israelis and Palestinians within and without the Territories. The equally threaten Abbas, Haniya, Meshal and all security forces (left, right, or indifferent). Palestinian unity is needed to find and eliminate this threat.
THERE WAS ONCE A WORLD OPINION ALL SOLD WHO BELIEVED EVERYTHING THAT THEY WERE TOLD THEY DIDNT AGREE THAT ALL THAT TERROR STEMS FROM THE SAME TREE ALL THEY COULD SAY IS TO CONDEMN IS NOT CONVENIENT FOR ME" BUT THE TRUTH MY DEAR FRIEND WHEN YOU SEE WHATS THE END YOUR PSYCHE WONT BE ABLE TO CHANGE YOUR BEND. ALQAIDA IN WHATEVER FORM STILL HAS EVIL AND MURDER AS ITS NORM SO IF YOU DONT YET SEE YOU WILL LET THEM BE AND THEN .....WHAT FOLLOWS IS JUST HISTORY.
This reminds me of the rubbish Aaron Klein keeps writing in WorldNetDaily - always sourced to West Bank or Gaza "Abu"s no one else has ever heard of, who basically say to him, "wow, yeah, we are totally ready to dirty-bomb Tel Aviv any time Nasrallah or Ahmadinejad tell us to."
You remind me of the progressive left wing nut cases who roam the streets of America. Whatever the situation is in Israel...no matter what atrocities the muslims/arabs perpetuate you see Israel and the Jews behind it. With your kind of thinking you must be a writer for fantasy t.v.
As Al Qaeda usually announce their presence with a terrorist attack. Also the timing must be suspect with Condie Rice present in Israel and Palestine. Especially as Condie has again stated that Palestinian state is a priority to the US government. Obviously if Al Qaeda can be shown to be present then Israel will have yet another excuse not to abide to UN resolutions. Not worth taking seriously, unless it is Israel trying to foment internal Palestinian strife, so Israel can say "There is no-one to negotiate with".
Enjoy it !
If there's still one person believing that Al-Qaida is manufactured elsewhere than usrael, then he/she must be treated for foolness !