Israel Matzav

Al-Qaeda issues videotape by American Jew calling Americans to convert to Islam

Al-Qaeda has issued a videotape calling on Americans to convert to Islam. Most of the tape was made by an American who is a member of al-Qaeda and a convert to Islam. That American is may actually be a Jew:

An American thought to be an al-Qaida activist appeared in a videotape with the terror group's deputy leader and called on his countrymen to convert to Islam and for U.S. soldiers to switch sides in the Iraq and Afghan wars.

The 48-minute video, posted on an Islamic militant Web site, had footage of al-Qaida's No. 2 leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, and of Adam Yehiye Gadahn, a 28-year-old American who the FBI believes attended al-Qaida training camps in Pakistan and served as an al-Qaida translator.

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Little is known about Gadahn's role in al-Qaida. A Californian who converted to Islam, he disappeared soon after the September 11 attacks. In 2004, the FBI announced it was seeking Gadahn in connection with possible terrorist threats against the U.S., but adding it did not have information linking him to any specific terror activities.

"You know that if you die as an unbeliever in battle against the Muslims you're going straight to Hell without passing 'Go,"' Gadahn said on the video, addressing American soldiers. "You know you're considered by Bush and his bunch of warmongers as nothing more than expendable cannon fodder ... You know they couldn't care less about your safety and well-being."

"We send a special invitation (to convert to Islam) to all of you fighting Bush's crusader pipe dream in Afghanistan, Iraq and wherever else 'W' has sent you to die. You know the war can't be won," he said, using Bush's nickname.

Gadahn also urged other Americans to convert to Islam.

"It is time for the unbelievers to discard these incoherent and illogical beliefs," he said. "Isn't it the time for the Christians, Jews, Buddhists and atheists to cast off the cloak of the spiritual darkness which enshrouds them and emerge into the light of Islam?"

Gadahn and al-Zawahri appeared in separate parts of the video, which was released by al-Qaida's production wing, As-Sahab. Gadahn spoke with his face uncovered, resembling FBI photos, with his name and nom de guerre - "Azzam the American" - written in titles in Arabic and English next to him. Arabic subtitles translated his comments.

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Gadahn grew up in rural simplicity on a ranch southwest of Hemet, California. His father, Philip, said he moved there in the 1970s to escape the noise and traffic of the city, changing the family name from Pearlman because he was starting a new life. The family tried raising goats as a business, but it was not profitable and they now keep them just to eat the grass around the home as fire protection.

Gadahn did not attend college, choosing instead to move to the suburbs of Los Angeles where he became a Muslim and worshipped at the Islamic Society of Orange County, California. The mosque later expelled him for attacking one of its leaders.

Anyone want to try to argue that "Pearlman" isn't a Jew? The only question is whether the mother is Jewish as well.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:25 AM