Israeli-Arab couple arrested for joining ISIS with entire family

The couple joined ISIS with their three children and returned to Israel due to the harsh conditions in Mosul.

An Israeli Arab couple was arrested in September upon their return to Israel from Iraq with their family and are being charged in court for having joined the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group.

The Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) stated Thursday that Wissam and Sabarin Zabidat, together with their children aged eight, six and three, joined ISIS in Syria in June of 2015 after being radicalized by online content.

Wissam was sent to Iraq and underwent military training and Islamic indoctrination. After the conclusion of his training, he served as security guard at an ISIS installation in Iraq and participated in raids on Iraqi troops, during which he was wounded.

Wissam was hospitalized in Mosul, where he was joined by his family. During that period, Wissam had no access to proper medical treatment, while has family lived in cramped quarters with no water, electricity or schooling for the children.

The family decided to return to Israel following the heavy fighting in the city and the poor conditions. They paid thousands of dollars to smugglers to get them to Turkey, and encountered many hardships on their way, including being fired upon by ISIS members and Turkish forces. They were arrested in Turkey, extradited to Israel and were arrested upon their arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.

Information provided by the two debunks ISIS’ propaganda that life in the caliphate under their rule is good, the Shin Bet noted.

The two were indicted on Thursday in a Haifa court and are charged with traveling to an enemy country and joining a terror organization as well as child abuse.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

IraqISISIslamic terrorIsraeli ArabsShin Bet