Israeli Arab Charged With Inciting Terrorism Via Instagram

The State Prosecutor's Office has filed an indictment against a 20-year-old resident of Lakia, Ahmad Abu Mahareb, in the Beersheba District Court. Abu Mahareb is accused of extensively publishing propaganda materials from terrorist organizations and posts inciting terrorism on his private Instagram account, which had approximately 1,300 followers.

Between 2025 and 2026, Abu Mahareb allegedly shared content that praised, expressed sympathy for, and encouraged terrorist acts, as well as material showing solidarity with terrorist groups. Specific posts included a video clip of Hamas leader Muhammad Deif announcing the October 7, 2023, attack and calling for jihad and the "liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque." Other content featured Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar praising suicide terrorists, photos of senior Hamas officials captioned "Jihad, victory or martyrdom," and videos calling for jihad, the destruction of Tel Aviv, and martyrdom.

Abu Mahareb also reportedly posted a video from a Houthi propaganda event showing missile and drone launches alongside images of Israeli and U.S. leaders. Additional materials called for jihad, martyrdom, and attacks against Jews. The indictment states that the nature and context of these publications create a real possibility of them leading to terrorist acts. Some posts also led to charges of expressing solidarity with a terrorist organization.