Doctor Sentenced for ISIS Membership and Plotting Harm

A Beersheba Magistrate's Court has sentenced Dr. Mohammed Azam, a doctor at Soroka Hospital, to 27 months in prison for membership in the terrorist organization ISIS. The court also imposed a suspended sentence and a fine of NIS 15,000. The prosecution highlighted the need for deterrent sentencing in such cases.

During the decade-long legal proceedings, it was revealed that Azam systematically consumed ISIS propaganda, underwent ideological radicalization, and deepened his identification with the group. Following the October 7th attacks, Azam pledged allegiance to ISIS's leader, leading to further radicalization. The judge emphasized that Azam's actions stemmed from a deep, ongoing radicalization process, not mere curiosity, and included acquiring materials on making explosives and poisons.

The court found the circumstances particularly severe due to the duration of his radicalization, the volume of material he collected, his joining ISIS during wartime, and the potential risk posed by his profession as a doctor. The prosecution had sought a lengthy prison sentence, and the court acknowledged the gravity of belonging to a terrorist organization.

"This is a serious case where an Israeli citizen chose to join ISIS after October 7th and watched combat and execution videos," stated attorney Hofit Kantorovich of the Southern District Attorney's Office. "Given the severity of the acts, the defendant's details were transferred to the Ministry of Health to examine the revocation of his medical license." Kantorovich also noted the stark contrast between Azam's role as a physician, dedicated to compassion and saving lives, and his membership in a murderous terrorist group, especially considering he treated civilians and wounded soldiers at a public hospital.