Al-Qaida's No. 2 offered his condolences for the nine Turkish pro-Palestinian activists killed in an Israeli commando raid, but slammed the Turkish government for its support of Israel, in a message issued Sunday. The 20-minute Arabic language audio message by appeared on a militant website and is the latest effort by the terror network to expand its message to Muslims beyond the Arab world.
"The Turkish government shows sympathy with the Palestinians through statements or sending some relief aid, but actually it recognizes Israel, engages in trade, carries out military training and shares information with it," Ayman al-Zawahri said.
"The change will come when the Turkish people urge their government to stop cooperating with Israel ... or taking part in killing Muslims in Afghanistan," he added.
"The Turkish government issues statements against Israel, but at the same time commits the same Jewish crimes but against the Muslim mujahedeen in Afghanistan, burning their houses, demolishing their villages and even assuming the leadership of the NATO there," al-Zawahri said.
