Osama Bin Laden’s 9/11 Letter to America in Full
The letter remains part of the historical record of an event that transformed the U.S. and the wider world.
In 2002, Osama bin Laden penned the Letter to America, a text that remains a poignant reminder of the impact of the September 11 terror attacks. Within the letter, bin Laden delivered a scathing critique of the United States, accusing it of numerous transgressions against the Muslim world. He blamed the U.S. for its intervention in the Middle East, particularly its backing of Israel, which he deemed a "greatest crime."
Bin Laden stated unequivocally that "The creation and continuation of Israel is one of the greatest crimes, and you are the leaders of its criminals."
The terror mastermind expressed his resolve to avenge the Palestinians, stating that "Each and every person whose hands have become polluted in the contribution towards this crime must pay its price, and pay for it heavily." He asserted that the American people bear responsibility for funding the military campaigns and blockades that have caused suffering in the Middle East.
Bin Laden's letter was a calculated attempt to rally support for al-Qaeda, a group he founded in 1988 after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. The full transcript of the 2002 letter, in its entirety, serves as a stark historical record of the fallout from the 9/11 attacks and the ideology that drove such violence.
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