Testimony of an ISA expert
- I found significant support for this in the testimony of the expert from the witness stand. The expert left a positive and reliable impression. His answers were considerate and matter-of-fact, and it was clear that he was taking the necessary professional caution, without exceeding the limits of his expertise or being dragged into rulings that are not supported by a factual basis. His testimony was coherent and orderly, and he convincingly dealt with the defense questions while defending the professional theses he presented in his opinion, which was not contradicted.
In his testimony, the expert reiterated that the appeal operates in a networked model and is based on "inspired attacks" (transcript of March 5, 2025, p. 33, paras. 19-21; p. 93, paras. 12-14). In accordance with his opinion, he stated that in this model, there is no need to have direct contact with the organization's representative in order to join as a member: "What is important about an oath is not who it is made with, but the very fact that it is performed for the up-to-date, accurate substitute. And also the understanding of its meaning is also something that came up in the investigation materials" (Transcript 5.3.2025, p. 34, Q. 1-3).
The expert noted that the organization that wants to recruit "human capital" to its ranks is aware of a "crowd of authoritarians" (supporters who operate in uninstitutionalized arenas such as Israel) and that "what is required is actually to say the wording of the oath, to swear, as I said precisely to the current caliph, without the issue of obligation that this oath be taken in front of or in the presence of an official on behalf of the Islamic State" (transcript of March 5, 2025, p. 33, Sh. 1-13). During his testimony and as well as his opinion, he noted and emphasized that this was a legitimate claim: "I do see it as a legitimate claim" (Transcript 5.3.2025, p. 49, s. 15).
As for the statement made by the defendant, he referred to the defendant's interrogations, from which the defendant's understanding of the meaning of the statement emerges not only from his statements to the interrogators, but also from the fact that he himself explained to the interrogators the meaning of the statement, including that the very fact that it constitutes a card of joining and belonging to the Islamic State" (Transcript of March 5, 2025, p. 19, paras. 10-13).