Israel hails death of Osama bin Laden

Israel: Israeli leaders Monday hailed the death of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at the hands of US forces, with the prime minister congratulating the United States on “a victory for justice.” “The state of Israel joins together in the joy of the American people after the liquidation of Bin Laden,” said a statement from the Premier’s office.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulates US President Barack Obama for this victory for justice, liberty and the common values of democratic nations which fought side by side against terrorism.”

President Shimon Peres also welcomed the news, telling public radio the operation was “a great success, not only for the United States, but for the whole free world which now breathes more easily following the belated but deserved punishment inflicted on Bin Laden.”

And Defence Minister Ehud Barak heaped praise on Obama and the military establishment for an operation which demonstrated “determination and operational daring.” “This is a great achievement for the United States in the struggle against global terror,” he said in a statement sent out by his office. “Once again we have proven that the war on terror involves all the world’s leading democracies, and that it will be overcome by a joint, multi-faceted effort which is not yet over.”

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman also hailed the operation, but warned it could provoke a series of retaliatory attacks by groups which sympathised with Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda.

“The next few days will be crucial because all organisations linked to Al-Qaeda or who claim to represent it will make every effort to carry out a spectacular attack,” he told army radio.

“It is very symbolic that his elimination took place on Holocaust memorial day... Israel was one of Al-Qaeda’s most important targets,” he said, claiming that the group had tried to set up cells in the West Bank and Gaza.

AFP