Israeli authorities have arrested a 16-year-old student from East Jerusalem on suspicion of attempting to recruit classmates into the Islamic State (ISIS) terror organization. The case, revealed by Jerusalem District Police on Thursday, has sent ripples through the community and raised questions about radicalization among youth.
The suspect, originally from northern Israel, was apprehended in early August. Despite attending a school specializing in electronics and physics, the teen allegedly used his position to spread ISIS ideology among peers. Police say his social media handles alluded to a former ISIS leader, signaling a deep immersion in the group's propaganda.
Evidence recovered from the suspect's phone paints a disturbing picture. Investigators found a trove of terrorist content, including:
- Violent ISIS-related material
- Instructional videos on making explosives
- Formulas for creating bombs
- Guidelines for purchasing bomb-making materials
- Religious texts justifying suicide attacks and civilian murders
Perhaps most alarming are the testimonies from the suspect's classmates. They report repeated recruitment attempts, with the teen allegedly threatening those who refused to join ISIS. Some students were told they would be killed by ISIS terrorists in the future. The suspect reportedly expressed desires to carry out attacks using car bombs or explosives, aspiring to die as a "martyr."
The investigation has also raised concerns about the school's awareness of the situation. Some teachers reportedly referred to the student as a "little terrorist," suggesting a potential failure to address the issue appropriately. The Ministry of Education will receive a separate report on the school's handling of the matter.
* i24 News contributed to this article.
