Two Arab-Israelis planned to join ISIS in Syria to fight the Shiites

The State Attorney's Office submitted to the Hadera Magistrate's Court today (Monday) an indictment against Abdel Mahdi Gabarin and Naim Gabarin, residents of Arara, for attempting to join a terrorist organization and attempting to leave illegally. The two are accused of planning to join ISIS in Syria to fight the Shiites as reported by Walla News.

According to the indictment, there is a prior acquaintance between the defendants, as they were involved in joint prayer at the Umm al-Fahm mosque where Abdel Mahdi serves as imam. During the month of May 2024, they planned to go to Syria, via Turkey, and join the ranks of ISIS there, take part in its activities and fight in its ranks, against those who are seen as infidels, such as Shiite Muslims.

The two defendants purchased plane tickets to Istanbul in Turkey, which include a connecting flight through Athens, Greece, without ordering return plane tickets. They also rented a hotel room in Istanbul. They planned to travel to the city of Gaziantep in the southeast of the country, near the border with Syria, and from there cross the border into Syrian territory. About a month ago, they were arrested at Ben Gurion Airport, during the security check.