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2 Israeli Arabs indicted for supporting ISIS

Israeli Arab brothers were arrested on suspicion they tried joining ISIS’ ranks.

Two Israeli-Arab brothers have been arrested and indicted for supporting the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group, the Shin Bet said Friday.

Mahmoud Jabarin, 25, and Naim Jabarin, 20, who hail from the predominantly Arab city of Umm al-Fahm, were arrested in July in a joint Israel Police and Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) operation.

According to the Shin Bet, authorities received information that Mahmoud Jabarin was planning to travel to Syria to join ISIS.

During a search of their residence, numerous photographs, videos and other Islamic State propaganda were found, in addition to a Carlo submachine gun in the attic.

“The Shin Bet views Israelis who support the Islamic State organization as a serious security threat, especially those who are in contact with organization operatives and desire to fight in its ranks,” the security agency said in a statement, adding that it will “continue to monitor suspects and take the necessary enforcement measures to prevent the dissemination of ISIS ideology in Israel and prevent Israelis from fighting with the organization.”

In the past, Israeli security forces have exposed several ISIS terror cells, comprised mostly of Arabs holding Israeli citizenship. Tens of suspects were arrested.

Israel estimates that at least 50 Israeli Arabs have joined ISIS in Syria and Iraq over the past several years. At least 10 of them were arrested on their return to the country and others have been killed in action while fighting together with ISIS.

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Israel fears that Arabs returning to Israel after fighting alongside ISIS will use their experience to establish terror networks and launch attacks within Israel, or that Arabs in Israel will be inspired by ISIS, especially via social media, to attack the Jewish state and its citizens.

By: JNS.org and World Israel News Staff