Bin Laden's Latest Holy War

Osama Bin Laden calls for a new holy war to stop the Israeli offensive in Gaza.   

Hello I’m Charlotte Bellis and you’re watching newsy.com

Speaking in an undated audiotape, the Al Qaeda leader called for a new Jihad to stop Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza. It also has American news organizations once again looking at Bin Laden’s relevance in the States.

We’re following coverage from The Independent, Euronews, CBS, MSNBC, and CNN.

The authenticity of the new message has yet to be confirmed, but according to the British news site The Independent, Bin Laden tells his followers that ...

"God has bestowed us with the patience to continue the path of jihad for another seven years, and seven and seven... The question is, can America continue its war with us for several more decades to come? Reports and evidence would suggest otherwise." (The Independent)

Euronews looks at how the tape surfaced.

 “News agencies say the tape has appeared on Islamist web sites, but few other details are known.  The recording is said to have been made recently, his last audio tape distributed on the net was last May.” (Euronews)

CBS Correspondent Richard Roth describes the recording with Bin Laden taunting President Bush over America’s war on Terror and asserting that...

 “America is wavering under the attack of Islamist warriors.”

 “The Internet message says that’s what’s behind Israel’s attack in Gaza.  Israelis are in a rush to get rid of their enemies in Gaza, it says, before the end of the Bush’s term in office, before the American’s weakness shows even more.  It calls on Muslims to support holy war, presumably by Palestinians in Gaza with money and men.  This comes as the Israeli offensive is in its nineteenth day in Gaza with no let up in the bombing.” (CBS)

MSNBC provides the White House reaction to the tape.

 “...it appears this tape demonstrates his isolation and continued attempts to remain relevant at a time when Al Qaeda’s ideology, mission, and agenda are being questioned and challenged throughout the world.  This also looks to be an effort to raise money as part of their ongoing propaganda campaign.  Again this from National Security Council spokesperson Gordon Johndroe” (MSNBC)

The message comes at the same time as President Bush commented on long-term hopes for trapping Bin Laden.

On Tuesday, Bush was interviewed by Larry King on CNN.

KING: “Are we ever, ever going to find Bin Laden?”
BUSH: “Yeah, of course, absolutely.”
KING: “You’re confident based on...?”
BUSH: “Because we got a lotta’ people looking for him, a lot of assets out there and you can’t run forever....” (CNN)

So is President Bush justified in his confidence following eight years of pursuit?  Or is Bin Laden going to continue to be the relevant force for decades to come, as he would have us believe?  Please check out our sources and let us know your thoughts on the situation.