An Israeli Arab was arrested for involvement with a terror organization and the possession of ISIS materials. A new threat for Israel?
Israel’s Police arrested on Monday an Israeli Arab from the northern village of Kafar Kara on suspicion of involvement with terrorism.
The 24-year-old, a teacher by profession, was caught with illegal terror-related materials after police searched his home, acting on suspicions that he was associating with a terror organization. The police further seized computers and other electronic devices, a flag of the Islamic State (ISIS or IS) and a large amount of literature on the subject of jihad.
During questioning he admitted to bringing the materials back from Jordan, where he had been studying. The Hadera Magistrates Court remanded the suspect until Wednesday.
Last week, an Israeli Court convicted Umm al-Fahm resident Ahmed Shurabaji of illegally traveling to Syria, training with IS terrorists and fighting on their side.
New Threat?
As reports on Israeli Arabs involved with IS increase, experts on terrorism differ concerning an internal threat.
Major-General (res.) Amos Yadlin, director of Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and formally the head of the IDF’s Military Intelligence Directorate, believes that Israel has no need to worry, saying: “This terror organization’s jihadist ideology is so radical that it has even been rejected by al-Qaeda, and we should not expect it to be seen favorably in Gaza or the West Bank.”
However, former Mossad Chief Ephraim Halevi voiced concern over what he believes to be the first signs of ISIS taking root in Israel. “There are signs of expressions of sympathy by Israel’s citizens towards ISIS,” Halevi told Israel’s IDF Radio earlier this month. ”When there is sympathy, there are usually those who move on to broader activities.”
The Islamic State was officially outlawed in Israel earlier this month by Minister of Defense Moshe Ya’alon. The signing of the declaration was done in accordance with the recommendation of the Shabak (Israeli Security Agency). The designation allows for legal action and other measures against these organizations, prohibits meetings of any kind between Islamic State members and enables legal recourse against anyone fundraising for them or carrying other activities associated with these organizations.
“This is being done for the sake of national security, public safety and public order,” the declaration states.
Author: Aryeh Savir
Staff Writer, United with Israel