In a disturbing revelation that has sent shockwaves through Jerusalem and beyond, the Israel Police have exposed a chilling plot by a 16-year-old youth from the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina. The teenager, whose identity remains undisclosed due to his age, was arrested after it was discovered that he had been attempting to recruit his classmates into the notorious terrorist organization ISIS.

A Calculated Conspiracy

This is not just another case of teenage rebellion; this is a calculated, sinister attempt to sow the seeds of terrorism among the youth of Jerusalem. The young suspect, originally from northern Israel, had embedded himself within his school—a prestigious institution specializing in electronics and physics—where he began to poison the minds of his peers with extremist ideology.

Using social media as his primary tool, the boy’s online presence was marked by disturbing references to former ISIS leaders. Investigators delving into his digital footprint uncovered an array of alarming content on his phone that bolstered the already grave suspicions. This content included graphic depictions of violence and terrorism, detailed plans for ISIS operations, and even instructional videos on how to craft explosives. The youth had gone so far as to download intricate formulas for making bombs and guidance on where to acquire the necessary materials. Even more horrifying, religious justifications for suicide bombings and the murder of innocent people were found among his files, underscoring his deep immersion into extremist ideology.

East Jerusalem teen attempts to recruit classmates to ISIS: Some teachers knew about his activities and nicknamed him “Da’doosh.” https://t.co/ogchmZP7fF JPost pic.twitter.com/pMBjRJfVsu

— Jewish Community (@JComm_NewsFeeds) August 22, 2024

A School Under Siege

The investigation has revealed that this was no solitary endeavor. The suspect actively sought to bring others into the fold of ISIS. According to police reports, the boy persistently tried to coerce his classmates into joining the terrorist organization, resorting to threats and intimidation when his efforts were rebuffed. One chilling detail that has emerged is the youth’s declaration that those who refused to join would eventually be killed by ISIS, a threat that left many of his peers in a state of fear and despair. He even confided in some of his classmates his gruesome aspiration to carry out a terror attack using a rigged car or explosives, expressing a desire to die as a “martyr.”

Disturbingly, it appears that some teachers at the school were aware of his radicalization, referring to him as a “little terrorist.” Despite this, no decisive action was taken to thwart his dangerous activities. A report on the school is now being prepared for submission to the Ministry of Education, raising serious questions about the oversight and safety within educational institutions.

A Broader Pattern of Extremism

This case, shocking as it is, does not stand alone. It is part of a broader and deeply troubling pattern of ISIS-related activity within Israel. Just recently, a doctor at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba was arrested in a joint operation by the Israel Police and the Shin Bet after it was discovered that he had pledged allegiance to ISIS. This individual, 34-year-old Muhammad Azzam from Nazareth, had been consuming extremist content since 2014 and had finally decided to formalize his ties to ISIS following the horrific events of October 7.

The indictment against Azzam paints a grim picture of a medical professional who had become radicalized to the point of cheering the atrocities committed by ISIS, even as he continued to work in a hospital. Among the damning evidence were files on his phone detailing how to create poisons such as ricin, as well as graphic videos of executions and mutilations. His detainment, pending further legal proceedings, has been a necessary measure to prevent any potential harm to the public, particularly given his role as a doctor.

Doctor at Beersheba Hospital arrested for allegedly swearing alliance to ISIS https://t.co/5y6ex1J9oo

— The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) August 22, 2024

A Growing Threat

These incidents, along with several others in recent years, underscore the growing threat of ISIS-inspired terrorism within Israel. From thwarted attacks in east Jerusalem to plots uncovered in the West Bank, the tentacles of this extremist ideology are reaching further than ever before. The implications are dire, and the need for vigilance and decisive action has never been more critical.

An ISIS flag left by Hamas terrorists in one of the Kibbutzim they massacred in southern Israel.

Hamas takes notes from ISIS.

Hamas is ISIS. pic.twitter.com/OzIMun0U5j

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) October 11, 2023

The revelations from this case are a stark reminder that terrorism knows no boundaries and can infiltrate even the most seemingly secure environments. As Israel grapples with this evolving threat, the resolve of its security forces and the cooperation of its citizens will be crucial in combating the insidious spread of extremist ideologies. The battle against ISIS and its affiliates is far from over, and as these cases show, it is a fight that must be waged on all fronts—no matter the age of those involved.