The whole world has been aghast this week at the shocking beheading of American journalist James Foley by a member of the Islamic State in one of the most despicable acts of recent times.

It was revealed a couple of days ago that the Islamic State had been in contact with Foley’s family prior to his execution, sending them a message claiming that Foley would be executed shortly. The message was sent on August 12th and the video of his execution was uploaded on August 19th.

Foley’s family has now made the full text of the message available to the general public. Some people may say that it’s tasteless to publish this, but Foley’s family have released it in the hopes that it might reveal some clue about the Islamic State’s whereabouts or motivations, so that they can be brought to justice for their crimes and so that nothing like this can ever happen again.

Read the full letter below:

HOW LONG WILL THE SHEEP FOLLOW THE BLIND SHEPPARD?

A message to the American government and their sheep like citizens:

We have left you alone since your disgraceful defeat in Iraq. We did not interfere in your country or attack your citizens while they were safe in their homes despite our capability to do so!

As for the scum of your society who are held prisoner by us, THEY DARED TO ENTER THE LION’S DEN AND WHERE EATEN!

You were given many chances to negotiate the release of your people via cash transactions as other governments have accepted,
We have also offered prisoner exchanges to free the Muslims currently in your detention like our sister Dr Afia Sidiqqi, however you proved very quickly to us that this is NOT what you are interested in.

You have no motivation to deal with the Muslims except with the language of force, a language you were given in “Arabic translation” when you attempted to occupy the land of Iraq!
Now you return to bomb the Muslims of Iraq once again, this time resorting to Arial attacks and “proxy armies”, all the while cowardly shying away from a face-to-face confrontation!

Today our swords are unsheathed towards you, GOVERNMENT AND CITIZENS ALIKE! AND WE WILL NOT STOP UNTILL WE QUENCH OUR THIRST FOR YOUR BLOOD.

You do not spare our weak, elderly, women or children so we will NOT spare yours!

You and your citizens will pay the price of your bombings!

The first of which being the blood of the American citizen, James Foley!

He will be executed as a DIRECT result of your transgressions towards us!’