News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) A commander of an Al Qaeda-founded organization has stated on a Muslim website that there is no difference between Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. He also offered economic aid to the PA as well as assistance in training fighters and manufacturing rockets.

Terrorist commander Abu Omar Al-Baghdadi, in a video speech translated by The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), stated, "Our brothers in Palestine must know that...there is no distinction between war against the Jewish infidel and [war against] the Palestinians who have betrayed Islam. Thus, there is no distinction between Olmert, with his [band of] criminals, and Abbas and his gang..."

After castigating Hamas for "joining the political process...and forming a suspect alliance with Israel," he told the PA, "We are willing to help you with the little money we have, and to train your fighters [in everything], from preparing explosive charges to manufacturing rockets..."