Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt Mohammed Badie said on Thursday that Arabs must deal with Israel “through holy Jihad, high sacrifices and all forms of resistance”.

In a public address, reported by Egyptian daily newspaper Al-Ahram, the leading official of the ruling political party said: “The time has come for the Islamic nation to unite around one man for the sake of Jerusalem and Palestine,”

He continued: “The Jews have dominated the land, spread corruption on earth, spilled the blood of believers and in their actions profaned holy places, including their own.”

“Zionists only understand the language of force and will not relent without duress,” said Mr Badie. “This will only happen through holy Jihad, high sacrifices and all forms of resistance. The day they realize we will march this path and raise the banner of Jihad for the sake of God, is the day they will relent and stop their tyranny.”

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi was a presidential candidate for the Muslim Brotherhood, but resigned from all official positions in the organisation when he took office. He has recently named an ambassador to Israel.

Mohammed Badie, 69, took office in January 2010. He has a degree in veterinary medicine from Cairo University, and in his youth was arrested for his political activity with the Muslim Brotherhood and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

This is not the first time Mr Badie has spoken out against Israel, in a sermon in July he called Israelis “rapists” and called all Muslims to wage Jihad to free Jerusalem.