Israel’s Shin Bet busts ISIS Beduin cell that includes 4 school teachers in Negev

The 4, working in Israeli schools, spread the group’s propaganda among their students, family members & associates in hopes they’d join the Islamic State in Syria.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

Security forces have arrested six Israeli Beduin men from the Negev town of Houra, four of whom work as school teachers, for allegedly supporting the Islamic State terrorist organization.

ISIS Israel

ISIS cell arrested by Shin Bet – Photo: SHIN BET

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) revealed Monday that the men were arrested over the past two months.  They allegedly took part in secret meetings in which they discussed Islamic State doctrine, and spread the group’s propaganda among their family members and associates. Some of the suspects planned to join the ranks Islamic State in Syria.

Those who worked as teachers at schools in the Negev used their positions to spread Islamic State propaganda among students and teachers, according to the Shin Bet.

As part of the investigation, additional school personnel were investigated including a school principal on suspicion that he knew of his colleagues’ involvement with the Islamic State and failed to report the fact to authorities.

The Shin Bet stated that members of the same Negev Islamic State cell had previously left Israel to fight for the organization in Syria’s civil war.

The suspects were listed as: Bashir Jabran Salim abu Alkyan, 26, an elementary school teacher in Houra; Akram Al’ab Ahmed abu Alkyan, 30, an elementary school teacher in Rahat; Muhammad Al’ab Ahmed abu Alkyan, 27, a high school teacher in Houra; Khader Hassan abu Alkyan, 27, from Houra; Sharif Shahada Rezek abu Alkyan, from Atir and Hamza Abed Ali Alkyan, a teacher from Houra.

The suspects have been indicted on a number of charges, including the distribution of an illegal organization’s materials, support for a terrorist organization, conspiracy to commit a crime and illegally exiting the country.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon ordered Islamic State an illegal organization in September 2014.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett instructed Michal Cohen, director general of the Education Ministry, to bring the teachers involved in for an immediate hearing and to revoke their teaching licenses.

“Terrorists will not be teachers,” vowed Bennett, and added “We will take a tough stance towards teachers who used their role in a despicable way and instead of protecting their students, harmed them. We have zero tolerance towards those who harm our country. We will keep the Education Ministry clean and not allow anyone to pollute our children.”

The Education Ministry congratulated the Shin Bet and the Police for their “important actions that brought an immediate halt to the hostile action within the Israeli education system.”

The ministry said it would continue to act together with the security forces to maintain the safety of Israeli pupils.

Over the coming days the ministry will work in the schools where the educators were arrested, to restore confidence and stability to the educators and students.

 

View original The Jerusalem Post publication at: http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Shin-Bet-busts-ISIS-cell-in-Negev-which-includes-4-school-teachers-408141