In a joint operation by the Shin Bet and the Police Crime Fighting Unit, authorities arrested Najib Dik, a 25-year-old resident of the Israeli-Arab city of Baqa al-Gharbiyye, located in central Israel, for investigation based on ideological support for the Islamic State terrorist organization (ISIS).
During his interrogation, investigators discovered that he joined the Islamic State terrorist organization as a member while pledging allegiance to the organization and consuming terrorist network content.
The investigation also revealed that due to Najib's religious strengthening and following the war in Gaza, he contemplated attacking security forces. The investigation exposed a troubling picture of expanding trends of Israeli Arab involvement in terrorism recently, and the war's effects on them and their actions.
Thursday, following the completion of comprehensive investigative actions by the police and Shin Bet, an indictment was filed by the Haifa District Attorney's Office.
Drew inspiration from beheading videos
According to the indictment filed by attorney Mor Ben Abu from the Haifa District Attorney's Office, beginning in February this year, the defendant displayed a growing interest in ISIS and its activities. He regularly watched videos and content on social networks and Telegram groups identified with the organization, including execution and combat videos from Syria and Iraq.
At a later stage, it is alleged that the defendant watched a video containing the text of the oath to the organization, read aloud the text of the declaration while mentioning the name of ISIS's current leader, thereby swearing allegiance to the organization and considering himself a member of it. Subsequently, he examined the possibility of traveling to Somalia in order to join ISIS terrorists.
According to the indictment, in April and May, the defendant drove several times in his car near the settlement of Maor, listened to jihadist songs, and considered detonating an explosive device at a kiosk where soldiers stay. The prosecution attributes to him charges of membership in a terrorist organization.
