Israeli Arab Charged with Supporting ISIS, Planning to Join Terror Group

Northern District police and the Shin Bet security agency have indicted Khamis Sawaeed, a 30-year-old resident of Al-Husayniya in the Galilee, for expressing support for the Islamic State (ISIS) and preparing to join the terrorist organization. The indictment, filed at the Haifa Magistrate's Court, details Sawaeed's ideological embrace of ISIS, which began in 2023 and intensified until his arrest in August. He had served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) between 2017 and 2019.

According to the charges, Sawaeed decided in 2024 to travel to Syria or Africa to fight for ISIS. To this end, he studied ISIS leadership materials, saved money, and downloaded instructional content in 2026 on manufacturing rockets and drones, as well as military tactics and weapons use, with the stated aim of supporting the group's activities.

The Shin Bet and Israel Police emphasized their commitment to combating any actions that endanger national security and citizens, particularly efforts by Israeli citizens to act on behalf of terrorist organizations against Israelis. They vowed to continue their firm efforts to thwart any threats against the State of Israel.