East Jerusalem Man Indicted for Contacting Foreign Agent, Filming Jewish Neighborhoods

Israel's State Prosecutor's Office has filed a serious indictment against Tarek Awida, a 53-year-old resident of Jerusalem, for contacting a foreign agent. Awida is accused of communicating with an individual acting on behalf of a foreign state or terrorist organization for approximately one year, during which he was allegedly asked to photograph and gather information in Jerusalem. The prosecution is seeking his detention until the legal proceedings conclude.

According to the indictment, filed by attorney Hadar Rubinstein of the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office, Awida joined a Telegram group called "The Resistance" about a year ago, where he began communicating with the foreign agent. Their correspondence occurred roughly every two weeks. The agent allegedly offered Awida money to photograph various locations in Jerusalem, including Jewish residential neighborhoods and sites related to security forces and police.

Awida reportedly downloaded a secure, encrypted messaging application at the agent's request. The agent later inquired if Awida could install a camera on his electric bicycle to film during his travels without attracting attention. Awida mentioned he was in the vicinity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. On another occasion, he agreed to the agent's request to install a camera on his bicycle and photograph a mosque, but did not carry out the task.

Shortly before his arrest, the agent contacted Awida again, asking him to film in the Al-Aqsa Mosque area or other locations that could be useful. Awida did not respond and did not complete this mission. The indictment charges Awida with the offense of contact with a foreign agent.