Shin Bet snatches Israeli intent on joining ISIS
The suspect contacted ISIS members in Syria and informed them of his desire to join their ranks; Shin Bet and police find photographs of suspect shooting a Glock and Uzi submachine gun in his possession; ‘we will use all means at our disposal to thwart threats posed by cells.’
The arrest of the suspect, who was a minor at the time of committing the offence from the Israeli-Arab town of Jaljulia near Kfar Saba, was facilitated by reliable intelligence information received by security forces indicating that he intended to depart for Syria.
During the investigation, the Shin Bet discovered that the suspect became increasingly zealous in his religious belief and, as such, began showing support for ISIS while simultaneously establishing contact with the radical movement’s terrorists in Syria. The suspect informed the terrorists of his desire to join their ranks in Syria.
The publication also revealed that over the past few months, the suspect had been in possession of firearms including an Uzi-typed submachine gun and a Glock handgun.
The radical suspect even photographed himself shooting both weapons, which were eventually found and confiscated by the Israel Police. A number of photographs were also located which illustrated beyond doubt that the suspect was rallying behind the ISIS.
The Shin Bet closely monitors cells composed of Israeli citizens supportive of ISIS using a number of resources and techniques, in a systematic effort to thwart local manifestations of the organization, preemptively nab its supporters and to prevent the exit of Israeli citizens to Syria.
Recently, three residents of Tayibe in central Israel were arrested before confessing in their investigation to supporting ISIS, planning to leave for Syria and digging tunnels to smuggle weapons under the security barrier.
“The Shin Bet views ISIS supporters in Israel and Israeli citizens residing in Syria as a serious security threat and therefore uses all means at its disposal to locate its cells and thwart threats posed by them, including by bringing them to trial for terrorism and security-related crimes,” the Shin Bet said in a statement.
