An American al-Qaeda member and militant spokesman told on an internet video, of his descent from a Jewish background.

On Saturday, the American-born al-Qaeda operative, Adam Yahiye Gadahn, said he had "Jews in his ancestry, the last of whom was his grandfather," confirming the genealogy for the first time, CNN reported.

He made the remarks in a video posted on Saturday on the website of al-Qaeda's media wing al-Sahab. He has appeared in such postings before voicing threats of terrorist attacks on the United States.

Born Adam Pearlman in Oregon, Gadahn was indicted in 2006 for treason for allegedly cooperating with the group.

"Isn't it shameful enough for a person to carry the citizenship of America, the symbol of oppression and tyranny and advocate of terror in the world?" he added.

HN/SME/HAR