You can watch the Zarqawi video with English subtitles by clicking here. The MEMRI translation only covers portions of the 34 minute long video showing Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's monologue.

UPDATE: I've added the full transcripts below.

Interestingly, the video shows Zarqawi railing against Zionism and linking the fight against America in Iraq to the fight against Israel. Why is this so intriguing? Because the full video highlights the use of Qassam rockets in Iraq....the rocket developed by none other than the new leaders of the Palestinian Authority, Hamas.

Hat tip to Allahpundit, now blogging at Hot Air. more...

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The leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al Zarqawi, has appeared in a new 34 minute high-production value video released by the media arm of the terrorist umbrella organization known as The Mujahidin Shura Council. The Jawa Report has obtained a copy of the video. Images from it are shown throughout this post. A translation of a statement released by the Mujahidin Shura Council is posted below.

UPDATE: I've added a transcript of the video below. You can watch the Zarqawi video with English subtitles by clicking here. The MEMRI translation only covers portions of the 34 minute long video showing Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's monologue.

For a copy of the video, please e-mail the author of this post directly at the contact information above. UPDATE: You can view the video here, but it is a mother of a download. UPDATE II: Apparently BKP is banned at some workplaces--alternate video downloading here. Update III: Here is a synopsis video from the MSM. The original is 34 minutes.

Several things are striking about the video. The first thing is that Zarqawi is shown with an American assault weapon, and not the standard AK-47 wielded by terrorists. Second, the high-production value of the video means that it must have been weeks in the making. If it was timed for release to coincide with the Egyptian bombings yesterday, then a great deal of coordination must have gone into it. Last, the high-production value of the video also suggests that it was not a reaction to the appointment of a new PM in Iraq. However, the statement released today by The Mujahidin Shura Council is clear that they are worried about it [statement below].

The video also comes on the heels of several reports which suggested that Zarqawi had a) been demoted from the leadership of al Qaeda in Iraq b) been officially disavowed by the Shura Council. Neither now appears to be the case.

What is not being reported in the media, though, is that Osama bin Laden's voice is also in the video. This suggests that Zarqawi's group was in possession of the audio before its popular release yesterday.

MSNBC:

In a rare video posted on the Internet, al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi accused the West and the United States of waging a “crusader” war against Islam, but said Muslim holy warriors were standing firm.

He also said the formation of a new government in Iraq was an attempt to help the United States get out of what he called the dilemma it faces in Iraq.

“Your mujahedeen sons were able to confront the most ferocious of crusader campaigns on a Muslim state. They have stood in the face of this onslaught for three years,” Zarqawi said on the video.

He is also wearing a suicide vest, which would corroborate statements by Sheikh Abu Omar al-Ansari, who met him in Iraq, that he wears this vest in order to "martyr" himself in this instance that Coalition forces (or angry Iraqis) come very close to apprehending him.

UPDATE: Walid Phares (personal note to Walid: what happened to you at the MPSA?) has a pretty detailed analysis here. Apparently the video was made on the 21st. The bin Laden audio was released on the 23rd.

Wizbang links this analysis from DEBKA:

Our sources reported Monday that the Egyptian authorities are investigating whether a 10-man cell reportedly held ready by Zarqawi in N. Sinai or Gaza for a large-scale attack was responsible for the third Sinai bombing attack in two years.

UPDATE: New York Times shows its brilliance with this headline, "Video Appears to Show Zarqawi Urging on Insurgents". Because, you know, we wouldn't want the NY Times to go out on a limb here. Here's part of the story:

The grainy images in today's video showed him accompanying armed fighters in black vests through sandy terrain in what was an apparent training mission. It also showed him seated on the floor in a room with several fighters with their faces covered in black.

Hat tip: AWOL GI at the forum more...

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