Family who joined ISIS returning to Israel
A family from Sakhnin who left Israel to join ISIS in Syria has recently returned to Turkey and is expected to arrive back in Israel in the coming days; Family friend: 'mother and the daughters did not want to go to Syria, but the husband insisted.'
The family left Israel in 2015 for Romania in order to attend a graduation ceremony for a family member who finished their studies. After arriving in Romania, they decided to enter Turkey and attempted to cross illegally into Syria. After their family learned of their intentions, they flew to Turkey to try and persuade them to return to Israel, but were unsuccessful.
A Galilee resident who knows the family said the, "family members went to Turkey and made every effort to get them to come back. In the end, they managed to find them and explain the dangers of life with ISIS. The mother and the daughters did not want to go to Syria, but the husband insisted. Right now, I don't know what needs to be done to get them back to Israel, but it is important. I hope to see them back with their family."
The mayor of Sakhnin, Mazen Ghanaym, said that when he learned the family joined ISIS, "We were completely surprised. These are respectful people who want for nothing. The husband works and is organized, but it is a shame he made a decision like that. We are against Arab citizens joining organizations like ISIS. Our religion is different to their criminal actions."
