Bin Laden: West ‘proves’ it is at war with Islam

CAIRO, Egypt - Osama bin Laden issued ominous new threats in an audiotape broadcast Sunday, purportedly saying the West was at war with Islam and calling on his followers to go to Sudan to fight a proposed U.N. force.

In his first new message in three months, bin Laden said the West’s decision to cut off funds to the Palestinians because their Hamas leaders refuse to recognize Israel proved that the United States and Europe were conducting “a Zionist crusader war on Islam.”

“The blockade which the West is imposing on the government of Hamas proves that there is a Zionist crusader war on Islam,” said the speaker on the tape broadcast by the Al-Jazeera network.

“I say that this war is the joint responsibility of the people and the governments. While the war continues, the people renew their allegiance to their rulers and politicians and continue to send their sons to our countries to fight us.”

The voice on the tape sounded strong and resembled that on previous recordings attributed to bin Laden. There was no way to independently verify the authenticity of the tape, but a senior U.S. intelligence official told NBC News that the voice on the tape appears to be that of bin Laden.

“The voice sounds like his,” said the official, who requested anonymity. “Technical analysis is still underway and it's important to note that every tape, video or audio ascribed to bin Laden has turned out to be authentic."

Attacking Israel 'more politically correct'
Israeli government spokesman Raanan Gissin said bin Laden had decided to attack Israel to deflect growing Arab animosity toward al-Qaida.

NBC VIDEO Expert discusses bin Laden tape April 24: NBC News terrorism expert Roger Cressey talks with the "Today" show's Matt Lauer about the latest Osama bin Laden message. Today show

“When he attacks Israel, this is something the Arab world can agree upon,” Gissin said. “He has been criticized for the destruction and carnage he’s causing the Muslim nation. He’s looking for another justification ... Criticizing Israel sounds more politically correct.”

Al-Qaida is believed to have no direct links to Hamas, which is an outgrowth of the Muslim Brotherhood, but they share an anti-Israel ideology that calls for the destruction of the Jewish state.

Recent media reports in the Middle East have said al-Qaida is building cells in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Sudan.

Israel indicts al-Qaida members
Israel has indicted two West Bank militants for al-Qaida membership and a Palestinian security official has acknowledged al-Qaida is “organizing cells and gathering supporters,” although Israeli officials say the inroads appear preliminary.

A Hamas spokesman said the militant group’s ideology is vastly different from al-Qaida’s but noted that international sanctions on the Palestinian government would naturally cause anger among some Muslims.

“It’s natural that this tension is going to create an impression that there is a Western-Israeli alliance working against the Palestinians,” Sami Abu Zuhri said, adding that Hamas is interested in having good relations with the West.

Bin Laden also addressed the conflict in Sudan, where he was based before being expelled under threats from the United States. He then moved to Afghanistan and is believed to be hiding out in the rugged mountains on the Pakistani side of their common border.

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