Arab Israeli Arrested For Joining Islamic State

For the first time, an Israeli citizen was indicted for joining the Islamic State group, according to media reports on Sunday.

Hamza Sami Sari Magamseh, from Yafa an-Naseriyye, an Arab council in the lower Galil, was arrested by security forces at Ben-Gurion International Airport upon his return from Syria to Israel.

During questioning, Magamseh admitted that he had gone to Syria with friends to join the Islamic State group.

Magamseh contacted the terrorist organization using social media, saying he was from Palestine and that he sought to join up in Syria. An Islamic State operative who responded instructed him how to get to Syria from Turkey, which he did on Octber 5.

Once in Syria, Magamseh and his two friends entered a training course that included both weapons and physical fitness training, as well as Islamic studies.

Apparently regretting his actions, Magamseh decided after 10 days to return to Israel, and left the training camp without permission.

“He got there and regretted it. He made an effort to return to Israel, even if he is punished. We still don’t know what made him infiltrate,” a relative of Magamseh said.

Magamseh was charged with contacting a foreign agent, membership in an illegal organization, conspiracy to commit a crime and illegal exit.

This article appeared in print on page 9 of the November 24th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.