Doctor Sentenced to Over Two Years for Joining ISIS After Oct. 7
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Dr. Mohamed Azam, a former doctor at Soroka Hospital, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for joining ISIS. He systematically consumed ISIS propaganda from 2014 and pledged allegiance after the October 7th attacks. The court cited the potential security risk posed by his actions and his medical profession. Prosecutors highlighted the stark contrast between his role as a healer and his membership in a terrorist organization.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dr. Mohamed Azam received a 27-month prison sentence for ISIS membership.
- He consumed ISIS propaganda since 2014 and joined the group after Oct. 7.
- Explosive and poison-making guides were found on his devices.
- The court noted the severe potential threat to national security.
- His medical role was considered a significant aggravating factor.
A Beer Sheva Magistrate's Court has sentenced Dr. Mohamed Azam, a doctor formerly employed at Soroka Hospital, to 27 months in prison and a NIS 15,000 fine for membership in the terrorist organization ISIS. The court also imposed a 12-month suspended sentence. Azam was convicted after a trial of systematically consuming ISIS propaganda content from 2014 until his arrest in July 2024. His identification with the group deepened over the years, and following the October 7th Hamas attack, he decided to join ISIS and pledge allegiance to its leader.
During the investigation, explosive and poison-making guides were found on Azam's devices. The court noted that his behavior intensified after pledging allegiance, indicating a deep and prolonged radicalization process and the development of operational capabilities. The judges emphasized that possessing such materials posed a severe potential threat to national security and public safety.
The prosecution, represented by attorneys Hofit Kantorovich and Tehila Nidam, had sought a lengthy prison sentence. The court acknowledged the severity of the case, citing the duration of Azam's radicalization, the volume of material he accumulated, his decision to join ISIS during the ongoing war, and the potential risk associated with his profession as a doctor. The need for a deterrent sentence for terrorism offenses was also highlighted.
"The unfathomable gap between the role of a doctor and the choice to be a member of a murderous terrorist organization," stated prosecutor Hofit Kantorovich, who managed the case. She added that the court gave significant weight to the fact that Azam treated civilians and wounded soldiers at a public hospital, underscoring the stark contrast between his oath to show compassion and save lives and his allegiance to a brutal terrorist group.
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