In Manhattan, American Muslims marched outside the Israeli embassy to show their sympathy for the Palestinian equivalent of Osama bin Laden, and called for the destruction of Israel. (Hat tip: Allah.)

Waving Palestinian flags and chanting for a free Palestine, about 50 demonstrators protested outside the Israeli consulate Tuesday, condemning the killing of the founder and spiritual leader of the Hamas militant organization.

The protesters, standing behind police barricades at 42nd Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan, chanted: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

And in referring to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, whose government has taken responsibility for the assassination of Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the protesters chanted: “Sharon, Sharon, you will see. Palestine will be free.”

Among the protesters was Osama Saleh, 24, a real estate broker from East Elmhurst.

“People are so angry now, and I know they are going to try to explore that anger somehow. Sheik Yassin was not a terrorist. He was a spiritual leader for all Palestinians.”