Doctor Sentenced to Over Two Years for ISIS Membership

A Beersheba Magistrate's Court sentenced Dr. Mohamed Azam, a doctor formerly employed at Soroka Hospital, to 27 months in prison, a 12-month suspended sentence, and a NIS 15,000 fine for membership in the Islamic State (ISIS). The court found that Azam underwent a prolonged period of ideological radicalization, swore allegiance to the terror group's leader after October 7, and possessed materials on preparing explosives and poisons.

According to the ruling by Judge Shosh Shitrit, Azam systematically consumed ISIS propaganda from 2014 until his arrest in July 2024. His identification with the organization deepened over the years, culminating in his decision to join ISIS and pledge loyalty to its leader during the "Swords of Iron" war, following the October 7th attacks.

The court emphasized that Azam's actions were not mere curiosity but indicated a deep, ongoing radicalization process and the development of operational capabilities. The possession of operational materials was deemed a serious potential threat to national security and public safety.

Prosecutors had argued for a lengthy prison sentence, highlighting the severity of Azam's actions, including the duration of his radicalization, the volume of extremist content he accumulated, his joining ISIS during wartime, and the potential risk posed by his profession as a doctor. The court stressed the need for a deterrent punishment for membership in a terror organization.

"This is a serious case where an Israeli citizen chose to join the ISIS terror organization, swore allegiance to it after October 7, and for years systematically consumed terror content, watched combat and execution videos, and even downloaded manuals for preparing explosives and poisons," said prosecutor Hofit Kantorovich. She added that the court gave significant weight to the fact that Azam served as a doctor in a public hospital treating civilians and wounded soldiers, highlighting the stark contrast between the medical profession's values of compassion and life-saving and his choice to join a murderous terror group. Azam's details have been forwarded to the Ministry of Health for consideration of revoking his medical license.