Asaf Ben David
Photo: Doron Golan
_a.jpg "Photo: Ahiya Raved")
Ben David's attorney - Amit Rozins
Photo: Ahiya Raved
Indictment: Jewish convert aided terror
Assaf Ben David, 39 year-old Palestinian convert to Judaism, charged with conspiring to aid his brother, a member of Islamic Jihad
The Haifa District Attorney’s Office filed an indictment at the Haifa District Court Thursday against Assaf Ben David for conspiring with the enemy, and having contact with a foreign agent.
The indictment accused Ben David of contacting his brother, a member of Islamic Jihad and other terror organizations with the intention of aiding in attacks against Israel.
Ben David, a 39 year-old Palestinian who converted to Judaism, left both his village and his religion to become haredi.
Born Husam Hafez Suafta in 1968, Ben David began the conversion process when he was about 25 years-old, and received his Israeli citizenship in 1996. He married an Israeli woman, with whom he has two children and two stepchildren who currently serve in the IDF.
Ben David’s brother, Saleh Suafta, was an Islamic Jihad activist who had been wanted by security forces for a long period of time. The indictment claimed that Ben David was aware of his brother’s involvement in the terror organization.
According to the indictment, the brothers renewed contact with each other towards the end of 2006, and conspired to aide in Islamic Jihad attacks.
According to the indictment, Ben David agreed to purchase nitrous acid for his brother, to be used in the preparation of explosives.
Back to Islam
Before the plot had a chance to materialize, Ben David’s brother was killed by the IDF during an exchange of fire. Following his funeral, Ben David converted back to Islam.
Shortly after, Ben David was arrested by the Shin Bet and the Haifa police.
Ben David’s attorney, Amit Rozins, said that his client denied the allegations against him. “Although he confirms that he was in contact with his brother, it was an innocent connection between brothers.”
Rozins added, “He told me that he had recently been trying to convince his brother to turn himself in to the Israeli authorities because he feared for his life.”
