Those who believe there is middle ground in the cultural clash between Western civilization and the most radical of Islamic militants are simply wrong.

In a new audio tape released today to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel, Osama bin Laden brought the Jewish state front and center, vowing to fight so long as there is one "true Muslim" left on the planet.

"We ... will not give up a single inch of Palestine," said bin Laden, still believed to be in hiding in rugged mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Israel's status as the holiest place on earth for two religions who have despised each other for centuries keeps the fires of hatred stoked in the already unstable Middle East.

"The Israelis are invaders and occupiers who should be fought," the al-Qaeda leader said on the tape.

He said it was the United States' backing of Israel that led to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Analysts say the Saudi-born terrorist chieftain has changed his focus since his early messages, which years ago were aimed at removing American troops from Muslim holy land in Saudi Arabia.

"In recent years, he has more closely wedded himself to the Palestinian issue," according to lauramansfield.com, a group that monitors and translates Arabic Web sites.

It's a message with broader appeal in the Muslim world, where it's not necessary to be a suicide bomber to believe holiest Palestine was taken by force by Western crusaders.

In his latest message, bin Laden urged Muslims everywhere to continue the fight against America and the Jewish state, both inside and outside Israel.

"The participation of Western leaders with the Jews in this celebration confirms that the West backs this Jewish occupation of our land, and that they stand in the Israeli corner against us," he said.

Each time bin Laden speaks, it's critical to remind our leaders of who orchestrated the worst attack on American soil and declared war on civilization.

And it's critical to remind our leaders we haven't forgotten the most wanted man in the world still can't be found. It's not just American lives he has claimed: Africans, Europeans, Asians, moderate Muslims and the families of those who died while under the cult-like sway of Islamo-fascism all have a stake in this fight.

All three presidential candidates have vowed to redouble efforts to find al-Qaeda's leader and bring him to justice, a mission that still needs to be accomplished.

Whoever leads the free world, we should hold them to that pledge.

Editorial by Ron Fields

rfields@dailynews.net