'Israeli Arab' indicted for trying to join Syrian rebel forces

An 'Israeli Arab' from Taibe was arrested upon his return from Syria via Turkey. 29-year-old Hichmat Masarwa was trying to join rebel forces and find his brother in Syria. He eventually returned to Israel.

The suspect, named as 29-year-old Hichmat Masarwa, was arrested on March 19 by the Shin Bet and Israel Police upon returning to Israel from Turkey, after suspicions emerged that he joined global jihadi elements in Syria, and to try and locate his brother who traveled to Syria in recent months to also fight with the rebels.

The Central District Attorney's Office on Wednesday filed an indictment in the Lod District Court against Masarwa charging him with contact with a foreign agent, illegal military training, and leaving the country illegally.

The indictment stated that Masarwa flew from Israel to Turkey on March 3, with the goal of eventually joining up with the Syrian rebels.

According to the indictment, Masarwa crossed into Syria illegally from Turkey on March 11.
"In Syria, Masarwa underwent military training with rebel forces...including weapons training. He was offered the possibility of carrying out a suicide bombing against the army of the Assad regime, but says he refused this," the Shin Bet added.

Rebel forces questioned Masarwa frequently on Israel and the IDF, and he was asked about weapons in use by the IDF, as well as the nuclear power plant in Dimona. He was asked to carry out an attack in Israel, but refused this offer too, the Shin Bet said.

Despite being requested to carry out attacks on Israel and being questioned about Israeli security, Masarwa did not break contact with the rebel forces, said the indictment.

The article goes on to say that it may be hard to convict Masarwa because he refused to carry out attcks against Israel. Of course, that assumes he is telling the truth.