American Jewish leaders on Monday praised U.S. President Joe Biden for authorizing the drone strike that killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri a day earlier.
In a statement posted on social media, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations commends the president for green-lighting the “decisive” strike and “salutes the troops who brought to justice one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists, responsible for the death of many American soldiers, civilians, and those of our allies.”
Biden announced al-Zawahiri’s death on Monday evening during a live television broadcast.
“Al-Zawahri’s death is a serious blow to al-Qaeda and its malevolent ambitions. His death will inevitably save lives, prevent future suffering, and sends an unmistakable message of American resolve to protect its citizens and the world from terrorism,” the Conference statement continued.
“We hope this brings some comfort to the families of victims of terrorism, particularly those who perished in the September 11 terrorist attacks, and the fallen members of our military, and their families. We remind Jewish communal leaders and institutions to remain vigilant against the ever-present threat of new acts of terrorist violence inspired by his death,” it added.
Zawahiri, 71, an Egyptian surgeon, had a $25 million bounty on his head and helped coordinate the multiple attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, that killed nearly 3,000 people, according to the AP.
The report cited U.S. officials as saying that al-Zawahiri was hit by a Hellfire missile launched by a U.S. drone on the balcony of his safe house in Kabul.
“Now justice has been delivered, and this terrorist leader is no more,” said Biden in his televised comments. “No matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out.”
