ISIS calls on supporters in Israel to launch additional attacks against the Jewish state
Islamic State spokesman says Jerusalem can only be liberated by the return of the caliphate
After two ISIS-inspired terror attacks against Israeli civilians in recent weeks, the spokesperson of the Jihadist group urged its supporters to “arm themselves with weapons” and launch additional attacks against the Jewish state.
In a long Ramadan speech, Abu-Omar al-Muhajir called for a new “global offensive” in retaliation for the death of ISIS leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Qurayshi. The top commander detonated himself during a U.S. special forces raid in Syria last February.
“We announce, relying on God, a blessed campaign to take revenge,” said the group’s new spokesperson in an audio recording.
He criticized the Palestinian factions of Fatah and Islamic Jihad, referring to them as “secular terrorists” who fight for land and homeland. In contrast, al-Muhajir hailed “those who fought and were killed for Allah and religion.”
He said that Jerusalem can only be liberated by return of the ISIS caliphate, with the help of “those who have values that change according to the interests of their Roman masters (the West).”
Al-Muhajir also called on all Muslims in the Arab world to oppose all leaders who have relations with Israel.
“Modern Muslim politicians trying to liberate Jerusalem are nothing more than puppets in the hands of Israel and the West,” he said.
“Fight them all and Allah will answer and punish them at your hands,” al-Muhajir added, referring to “heathen states.”
Two recent terror attacks in Beersheva and Hadera were carried out in late March by Israeli-Arabs who were ISIS supporters. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the two assaults, which were part of a larger wave of deadly terror that resulted in 14 Israeli casualties.
However, prominent Israeli Middle East expert, Guy Bechor, claims that Israel's focus on the alleged ISIS inspiration behind these attacks is wrong.
“It is Islamism Salafism, the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement, it’s Hamas, it’s Islamic Jihad – all these groups. In Israel, we say ‘ISIS’ in order not to link between them and Israeli-Arabs or not to harm the coalition. It’s a bluff,” Bechor said on Israel’s Channel 13 morning program recently.
The Jewish state was the target of another threat on Monday from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. In a speech at an annual parade of Iran’s armed forces, Raisi said that Israel will be hit by Tehran if it makes “the tiniest move” against Iran.
“If you make the tiniest move against the nation of Iran, the center of the Zionist regime will be the target of our armed forces,” Raisi said, referring to Tel Aviv.
Tal Heinrich is a senior correspondent for both ALL ISRAEL NEWS and ALL ARAB NEWS. She is currently based in New York City. Tal also provides reports and analysis for Israeli Hebrew media Channel 14 News.