Israeli Arab arrested over ISIS links

An Israeli Arab was arrested on suspicion he tried joining ISIS’ ranks as a fighter.

Israeli security forces arrested an Arab with Israeli citizenship who had ties with the Islamic State (ISIS/IS) terror group in Syria and was planning to join them as a fighter.

In a joint operation, Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) and Israel Police arrested Muhammad Ahmed Azzam, 24, a resident of Kfar Manda, at the begining of this month after following up on information that he supports and identifies with ISIS, that he is in contact with ISIS, and that he was making preparations to join the organization.

The investigation into Azzam’s activities revealed that he was following ISIS online propaganda and had recently made “tangible preparations” to leave Israel in order to join the terrorist group, the Shin Bet announced Sunday. Azzam was in online contact with several ISIS fighters who were assisting him in his preparations.

The State Attorney on Sunday filed an indictment against Azzam in Haifa’s District Court.

The Shin Bet stated that it views Israelis who support ISIS, who or are in contact with the terror group or who go to fight in its ranks “as a severe strategic threat.”

The Shin Bet will “continue to monitor suspects and take the necessary enforcement measures in order to thwart the dissemination of the ISIS ideology in Israel and prevent Israelis from joining its ranks as fighters,” the security agency stated, adding, however, that ISIS is currently retreating and in distress in most combat zones.

“The reality on the ground is in complete contrast to the seemingly positive picture that the organization is trying to broadcast, mainly online, to potential recruits. It should be noted that the lives of IS members in the areas of fighting are under constant threat even as they cope with very severe living conditions,” the Shin Bet stressed.

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.

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, and begin to operate against the Jewish state and its citizens.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News