Bin Laden threatens further attacks against the US

Osama bin Laden's latest tape, entitled "From Osama to Obama."

The leader of al Qaeda has released an audiotape praising the Christmas Eve bomber and threatening more attacks against the US if its support for Israel continues.

Osama bin Laden released a one-minute-long audiotape entitled "From Osama to Obama." The tape, which displayed an old image of Osama, was given to Al Jazeera. US intelligence officials contact by The Long War Journal believe that the tape is authentic.

On the tape, Osama takes credit for the Christmas Eve bombing attempt over Detroit that was carried out by Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab.

"If our messages to you could be carried by words we wouldn't have done that by planes," Osama says. "The message I want to convey to you through the plane of the hero, mujahid Umar al Farouk [Abdulmutallab] reaffirms a previous message that the heroes of 9/11 conveyed to you and was repeated frequently."

Osama says al Qaeda will continue to attack the United States as it fails to understand that its support for Israel is intolerable.

"The message is that America will never dream of peace unless we live it in Palestine," Osama continued. "It is unfair that you should a safe life while our brothers in Gaza are suffer greatly therefore with God's will our attacks on you will continue to (as long as you support) Israel."

Al Qaeda often attempts to latch onto the Palestinian cause to garner support in the Arab and Muslim world. Ayman al Zawahiri, Osama's deputy, frequently brings up the issue of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Zawahiri often levels criticism at Hamas for participating in elections, carrying out negotiations with Israel and the West, and failing to take part in the global jihad.

Al Qaeda-linked groups have a small presence in the Gaza strip, the small region ruled by Hamas. In August 2009, Hamas attacked the Jund Ansar Allah, an al Qaeda-linked terror group, and killed its leader, its military commander, and scores of followers.

Osama bin Laden's latest tape is the first released since September 2009. In that audiotape, Osama urged the Europeans to abandon Afghanistan and end their support for the US.

Text of Osama bin Laden's statement:

In the name of God the most passionate the most merciful. From Osama to Obama.

"May peace be on those who follow the light of guidance. If our messages to you could be carried by words we wouldn't have done that by planes. The message I want to convey to you through the plane of the hero, mujahid Umar al Farouk [Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab] reaffirms a previous message that the heroes of 9/11 conveyed to you and was repeated frequently. The message is that America will never dream of peace unless we live it in Palestine. It is unfair that you should a safe life while our brothers in Gaza are suffer greatly therefore with God's will our attacks on you will continue to (as long as you support) Israel. Peace be on those who follow the light of guidance."

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