Police and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) said on Monday that a 21-year-old Shefa-Amr resident would be indicted for having an active ISIS membership, following an investigation into allegations that he repeatedly pledged allegiance to ISIS and encouraged friends to support it.
Mohammed Sweitat, from the Northern Arab town, was arrested on September 28 in a joint operation by the Shin Bet and the Northern District police’s central investigative unit on suspicion of security offenses, according to their joint statement.
Investigators allege that he supported the group’s ideology, consumed its content, and swore allegiance to it several times. He also allegedly published ISIS content online, corresponded with supporters of the organization, and sought to persuade his friends to support its cause in order to advance its activities.
The agencies said that the investigation had concluded and that prosecutors would submit the indictment to the Haifa Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning. They will charge Sweitat with active membership in a terrorist organization.
No specific planned attack described in statement
The statement did not describe a specific planned attack. Its account focused on his alleged allegiance to ISIS, dissemination of its content, and efforts to encourage support for it.
The Shin Bet and police said they viewed Israeli citizens’ involvement in activity endangering state security and the public with severity and would use their legal powers to bring those involved to justice.