Al-Qaeda No. 2: Gaza Raid Is 'Gift From Obama'

Zawahiri mocks him as a potential 'savior'
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 6, 2009 5:50 PM CST
Al-Qaeda No. 2: Gaza Raid Is 'Gift From Obama'
This video frame grab image from November shows Ayman al-Zawahiri.   (AP Photo/IntelCenter)

Al-Qaeda's No. 2 leader called the Israeli invasion of Gaza a "gift from Obama" and urged Muslims to take revenge against Israel, CNN reports. In an audio message posted on extremist websites, Ayman al-Zawahiri said that Barack Obama was portrayed as "the savior who will come and change American policy" but that instead he is now "killing your brothers and sisters in Gaza without mercy or even pity."

"My Muslim brothers and mujahedeens in Gaza and all over Palestine, with the help of God we are with you in the battle, we will direct our strikes against the crusader Jewish coalition wherever we can," said Zawahiri. Obama, who said today he was "deeply concerned" about the loss of life in Gaza, had no immediate response. (More Israel stories.)

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