Soroka Hospital Physician Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for ISIS Membership
A Beersheba court sentenced Soroka Medical Center physician Dr. Mohammad Azzam to 27 months in prison for joining ISIS, swearing allegiance after October 7, and possessing bomb-making guides.
A Beersheba magistrates' court sentenced Dr. Mohammad Azzam, a physician at Soroka Medical Center, to 27 months in prison on Monday after convicting him of membership in the Islamic State terrorist organization.
Conviction and Ideological Radicalization
According to the verdict delivered by Judge Shosh Shitrit, Azzam underwent a prolonged process of ideological radicalization starting in 2014, systematically consuming ISIS propaganda. Following the October 7 terror attacks, Azzam swore allegiance to the ISIS leader and downloaded instructional guides for manufacturing explosives and poisons onto his electronic devices.
The court emphasized that Azzam's actions went beyond mere curiosity, demonstrating operational capability and a severe threat to national security and public safety, especially given his professional status as a medical doctor.
"This is a severe case in which an Israeli citizen chose to join ISIS, swore allegiance after October 7, and systematically consumed terror content while downloading bomb-making guides," said prosecutor Hufit Kantorowitz.
Sentencing and Professional License Review
In addition to the 27-month prison term—minus time served—Azzam was sentenced to 12 months of suspended imprisonment and a 15,000-shekel fine. Prosecutors noted that his case highlights a profound breach of medical ethics, contrasting saving lives with joining a terrorist group. His details have been forwarded to the Ministry of Health to review the revocation of his medical license.
