Palestinians in Jerusalem Accused of Plotting with ISIS

Israeli border police members stand guard following an incident at Qalandia checkpoint in the Israeli-occupied West Bank September 18, 2019. (Reuters)
Israeli border police members stand guard following an incident at Qalandia checkpoint in the Israeli-occupied West Bank September 18, 2019. (Reuters)
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Palestinians in Jerusalem Accused of Plotting with ISIS

Israeli border police members stand guard following an incident at Qalandia checkpoint in the Israeli-occupied West Bank September 18, 2019. (Reuters)
Israeli border police members stand guard following an incident at Qalandia checkpoint in the Israeli-occupied West Bank September 18, 2019. (Reuters)

Israeli police said Wednesday they had arrested two Arabs from eastern Jerusalem suspected of plotting with the ISIS group to attack Jerusalem.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP that Ahmed Jaabis, 21, and Bassel Abidat, 19, were charged on Sunday with membership in ISIS.

He said they planned to carry out an attack in Jerusalem on Israeli independence day - which falls in April next year - when there are large public gatherings of Jews.

A police statement said "concrete intelligence" directed undercover officers disguised as Arabs to homes in the Jabel Mukaber neighborhood Jerusalem where they arrested the men.

The raid took place in October but was only publicized on Wednesday.

"The accused are members of the ISIS terror organization," said the police statement, quoting from the charge sheet.

"The accused discussed the possibility of carrying out murderous terror attacks at various sites in the city of Jerusalem or at army bases in the Jordan Valley area with the aim of killing as many Jews as possible in the name of ISIS," it added.

They allegedly discussed acquiring firearms or, if that could not be done, of carrying out stabbings.

Abidat was accused of trying to join ISIS forces in the Egyptian Sinai peninsula but the police said he was prevented from crossing the Jordan-Egypt border by Jordanian frontier guards.

Dozens of suspects, mostly Israeli Arabs, have been arrested in recent years for allegedly fighting for extremist organizations abroad or for involvement in activities inspired by such groups.

Israeli Arabs are the descendants of the Palestinians who remained on their land when Israel was founded in 1948, representing about 17.5% of nearly 9 million Israelis. Most Palestinians in Jerusalem hold a residency card.



Aoun: The Lebanese Are Exhausted and Cannot Endure Another War

President Joseph Aoun welcomes Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian at the presidential palace in Baabda on Thursday. (Lebanese Presidency)
President Joseph Aoun welcomes Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian at the presidential palace in Baabda on Thursday. (Lebanese Presidency)
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Aoun: The Lebanese Are Exhausted and Cannot Endure Another War

President Joseph Aoun welcomes Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian at the presidential palace in Baabda on Thursday. (Lebanese Presidency)
President Joseph Aoun welcomes Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian at the presidential palace in Baabda on Thursday. (Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared on Thursday that the country stands at a critical crossroads, stressing that unity, cooperation, and solidarity are essential to navigating the current phase.

“The Lebanese are tired,” Aoun said, “and they can no longer bear another war. We do not want to drag the country into more bloodshed. We have significant opportunities ahead, especially with our Arab brothers extending a hand. We must seize these chances and lift Lebanon out of its current state.”

He made his comments during a meeting with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, who was accompanied by a delegation of regional muftis, at the Baabda presidential palace. The gathering also included Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Aoun voiced concern over some political actors who, he said, “lack a sense of responsibility and insist on spreading groundless rumors and fostering a negative atmosphere.”

He emphasized the important contributions of all Lebanese communities, particularly the Sunni community, which he said brings “two vital values to Lebanon: internal moderation and a firm affirmation of Lebanon’s Arab identity.”

In turn, Derian expressed his full support for Aoun, praising him as “a symbol of Lebanese unity and guardian of the Taif Agreement and the Constitution.”

He stressed that only national unity and adherence to state institutions can protect Lebanon at this critical juncture.

Derian condemned ongoing Israeli violations, calling for the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which he said has only been honored by the Lebanese side.

“Instead of proposing new agreements, we should insist on applying all provisions of this resolution,” he said.

Following the meeting, Derian echoed Berri’s optimism that the situation in the country is heading in a positive direction, despite public concern. He described Berri as a “genuine national guarantor” working diligently to protect Lebanon from war and resolve ongoing crises.

“We are optimistic and confident that any challenges can only be overcome through unity,” he added. “At Dar al-Fatwa, our message is clear: we speak not in sectarian terms, but in the language of national inclusion.”