Muhammad Azaam, a doctor at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, was charged with being a member of a terrorist organization in the Beersheba Magistrate's Court on Thursday, according to a statement from the Justice Ministry.
Beginning in 2014, Dr. Azaam began intensively consuming media related to ISIS, and after October 7, 2023, he decided to swear allegiance to the terror organization. In 2024, the doctor collected information online about preparing explosives and poisons.
The judge ruled that, even though Azaam had not made direct contact with a representative from ISIS, he took steps that aligned with the organization's new member intake protocols, making him an ISIS member in the eyes of the law.
This was supported by a particular piece of evidence submitted during the trial, which indicated that ISIS had recently changed its recruitment tactics. ISIS is reportedly moving towards a model, referred to in the court's decision as "the inspiration model", that motivates individuals to act without direct guidance from a member of the group.
Galilee man who swore loyalty to ISIS, planned attack on soldiers, indicted on terror charges
After police arrested a 20-year-old ISIS-affiliated man who was planning an attack on soldiers, prosecutors filed an indictment against the suspect Thursday morning, according to a joint statement from the Northern District Central Unit and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).
According to the statement, Mohammad Abd al-Ghani, a resident of Nahf in the Galilee, “pledged allegiance to the [ISIS], attempted to purchase a handgun, and intended to advance terrorist activity against IDF soldiers in the city of Karmiel.”
According to Superintendent Amit Zinger, Head of the Minorities Department in the Northern District Central Unit, al-Ghani was arrested roughly a month ago, following weeks of investigation by police and Shin Bet. During his arrest, posters and terrorist symbols affiliated with ISIS were seized.
In recent years, a significant number of Arab citizens of Israel have sworn loyalty to ISIS, usually arrested before being able to carry out an attack. Less than two months ago, a man was arrested on similar charges, and in January, a 15-year-old resident of northern Israel was accused of swearing loyalty to the terrorist and planning an attack.