Israeli Prosecution Seeks First-Ever Revocation of Terrorists' Citizenship Over Treason Charges
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Israel's State Prosecution has requested the first-ever revocation of citizenship for two convicted terrorists, Rani Of and Shadi Aidi, who planned cyberattacks to aid Hamas by targeting critical Israeli communication infrastructure. The request follows their convictions for aiding the enemy and breaching loyalty, with sentences of 11 and 5.5 years respectively. This unprecedented legal action was initiated by Prime Minister Netanyahu and approved by the Attorney General, highlighting the severity of their betrayal during wartime.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel seeks first criminal revocation of citizenship for two convicted terrorists aiding Hamas.
- Rani Of and Shadi Aidi planned cyberattacks to disable Cellcom’s communication networks during war.
- Both men admitted to conspiring to assist the enemy and harming state security.
- Of maintained contact with Hamas leaders in Turkey and shared sensitive infrastructure data.
- Of sentenced to 11 years, Aidi to 5.5 years, both with suspended sentences and fines.
- The move was approved by PM Netanyahu and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
The Israeli State Prosecution has filed a groundbreaking request to revoke the citizenship of two security prisoners, Rani Of and Shadi Aidi, convicted of aiding the enemy and betraying state security. The request, submitted on Wednesday to the Central District Court, marks the first time citizenship revocation is pursued through criminal proceedings under the Citizenship Law for breach of loyalty. This move follows a directive from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who holds the Interior Ministry portfolio, and was approved by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
Of and Aidi, former employees of the Israeli telecom company Cellcom, exploited their extensive access to the company’s IT and infrastructure systems to plan cyberattacks aimed at disabling Cellcom’s communication networks during wartime. Their actions were intended to assist Hamas by disrupting critical national communication infrastructure, including networks used by Israel’s security forces. Of maintained ongoing contact with senior Hamas officials in Turkey and, with Aidi’s help, transmitted sensitive information about Israel’s communication infrastructure and Cellcom’s cybersecurity measures.
Both men admitted to conspiring to assist the enemy in wartime and providing information with the intent to harm state security. Of was additionally convicted of espionage and contact with a foreign agent. In 2024, Of was sentenced to 11 years in prison, while Aidi received 5.5 years, both with suspended sentences and fines. The prosecution emphasized the severity of their offenses, describing their conduct as extreme cases of disloyalty and betrayal, with potential for significant damage through planned cyberattacks during military operations.
The prosecution stated that the citizenship revocation law is designed precisely for such cases, symbolizing a formal severance of the individuals’ ties to the state. Their prolonged, systematic, and ideologically motivated actions aimed to aid Israel’s worst enemies, intensifying the gravity of their betrayal. This unprecedented legal step underscores the state’s commitment to penalize severe breaches of loyalty that threaten national security.
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