Attorneys accused of conspiring with security prisoners
Four Arab lawyers arrested for allegedly mediating between Islamic Jihad members detained in Israel and terror group's Gaza representatives
The attorneys reportedly relayed messages, in the form of missives, between the parties. The communiqués focused on appointments within Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the group's internal hierarchy and its stance vis-à-vis Hamas.
Wednesday saw the Jerusalem District Prosecution file the first indictment in the case, against Suheir Ayub (42), from Akko. She was charged with providing services for an illegal association.
According to the indictment, Ayub was contacted by Amar Ashur, a Gaza-based Jihad member, who retained her services. She was allegedly asked to relay information to and from the organization's prisoners in Israel.
Ayub was able to obtain the necessary permit to visit the prisoners after informing the Israeli Prison Services she was acting as their legal counsel. Her visits, claimed the State, allowed her to help promote the group's agenda.
'Not a singular case'
Avi Cohen, head of the Jerusalem District Police Central Unit's Minorities Department, said that the four were arrested after an undercover investigation which spanned several months.
The investigation revealed the connection between Suheir Ayub and her Gaza handler, as well as the fact that she had three other lawyers visiting jihad prisoner and relaying messages, on her behalf.
When asked as to Ayub's motives, Cohen said that, "She was aware of her actions and knew the organization was illegal. She was also aware of all attorney-client privileges and restrictions. We believe her motive was financial, rather than ideological."
According to the police officer, since Mahjat al-Quds was outlawed in 2006, some of the communiqués in question discussed reviving it.
The Jerusalem District Court confirmed that Ayub has been ordered into house arrest and her legal license has been suspended.
Indictments against the other three lawyers implicated in the case are pending. "We believe they will be indicted within a week," said Cohen. "We also know that this is not a singular case and that Islamic Jihad has other ways of contacting their members in Israeli prisons. Nevertheless, the arrests are likely to increase deterrence to that effect," he concluded.
Yair Altman contributed to this report
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