Soroka Hospital Doctor Sentenced to 27 Months for ISIS Membership
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Dr. Muhammad Azzam, a doctor at Beersheba's Soroka Hospital, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for belonging to ISIS. He was also given a suspended sentence and a fine. The court found he consumed ISIS propaganda, pledged allegiance after October 7, and possessed bomb-making instructions, indicating a prolonged radicalization. His case will be reviewed for potential revocation of his medical license.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Dr. Muhammad Azzam of Soroka Hospital received 27 months in prison for ISIS membership.
- He also received a 12-month suspended sentence and a 15,000 shekel fine.
- Azzam consumed ISIS propaganda and pledged allegiance after the October 7 attacks.
- He possessed documents with instructions for making explosives and poisons.
- The court cited his prolonged radicalization and security risks.
- His medical license is under review by the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Muhammad Azzam, a physician at Beersheba's Soroka Hospital, was sentenced on Monday to 27 months in prison for membership in the Islamic State (ISIS). The Beersheba Magistrate's Court also imposed a 12-month suspended sentence and a fine of 15,000 shekels.
According to the court's findings, Azzam regularly consumed ISIS propaganda between 2014 and his arrest in July 2024, with his adherence to the terrorist organization strengthening over time. Following the October 7, 2023 attacks and the outbreak of war, he reportedly decided to join ISIS and pledged allegiance to its leader. Investigations also revealed he possessed documents containing instructions for making explosives and poisons.
In her ruling, Judge Shosh Sheetrit stated that these actions indicated a prolonged radicalization process, not mere curiosity, but the acquisition of knowledge potentially usable for operational purposes. The court emphasized the severity of the offenses, considering the duration of his radicalization, the volume of material he accumulated, and his increased affiliation with ISIS during wartime. The possession of operational documents was deemed a serious security risk.
The court also factored in Azzam's profession, noting he worked in a public hospital treating civilians and wounded soldiers. The prosecution highlighted the contradiction between a doctor's duty to heal and preserve life and his commitment to a terrorist group.
The prosecution has forwarded Azzam's case to the Israeli Ministry of Health to consider revoking his medical license.
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