May 16, 2008 Bin Laden promises holy war will continue Play video

(NECN/ABC) - In an audio recording released just as President Bush wrapped up his two-day visit to Israel, Osama bin Laden vows that al-Qaida's holy war against the U.S. ally will continue. The nearly 10 minute message can't be authenticated, but was posted on a Web site commonly used by al-Qaida.

The 60th anniversary of Israel didn't pass unnoticed by the world's most wanted terrorist. In the tape bin Laden promises:

"We'll continue, God permitting, the fight against the Israelis and their allies and will not give up a single inch of Palestine as long as there's one true Muslim on earth."

bin Laden also criticized the media for its coverage of Israel's anniversary celebrations, including highlighting a speech by President Bush in Israel to commemorate the anniversary.

On the tape, bin Laden seized the opportunity to exploit the relationship between Israel and the West, calling the fight against the Israelis the prime issue and the most important issue of the conflict between what he calls our civilization and yours.

ABC's Christianne Klein reports.