Khamis Suwaid, a resident of Hussniya in the Galilee in his 30s who previously served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was charged Wednesday with planning to join ISIS following a joint investigation by the Shin Bet and the Galilee District Police.
According to the indictment filed in Haifa Magistrate’s Court, Suwaid pledged solidarity with the ISIS terror organization and studied and conducted training with the goal of joining the group’s fighting forces abroad.
The Shin Bet and Galilee District Police investigation found that Suwaid watched instructional content dealing with combat, the use of weapons, and the production of missiles and drones for terrorist purposes.
Suwaid was arrested in recent weeks in a joint operation by police and the Shin Bet. The Haifa District Attorney’s Office filed the indictment Wednesday alongside a request to hold him in custody until the end of legal proceedings.
The Shin Bet and police said they are working against activity that endangers the security of the state and its citizens, including against Israeli citizens seeking to operate on behalf of terror organizations against Israelis.