In response to questions submitted to Al Qaeda-run websites this week, Osama bin Laden's top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, reiterated the group's pledge to attack Jews both in Israel and around the world.

During a one-and-a-half hour audio response to the various questions, Zawahri stated, "We promise our Muslim brothers that we will do the best we can to harm Jews in Israel and the world over, with Allah's help and according to his command."

The terrorist leader reassured supporters that the global jihad is continuing apace, and explained that the withdrawal from Iraq promised by US Democratic presidential candidates would open the door for Al Qaeda attacks in Israel.

He also rebuffed comments criticizing Al Qaeda's brutal and indiscriminate tactics, insisting that Al Qaeda has never intentionally killed innocent civilians.