An Israeli woman who crossed the border into Syria in early February and was returned later that month after a flurry of international negotiations was indicted for her actions on Sunday at the Nazareth Magistrates’ Court.
The content of the accusation has been partially banned from being published, but the accusations include illegal leaving the country.
The woman, whose identity cannot be published, would have suffered from mental problems in the past.
Get the daily edition of The Times of Israel by email and never miss our top news Subscribe for free
She is a 25-year-old Modiin Illit who left the ultra-Orthodox community. It is not clear why she entered Syria. She apparently crossed into a less monitored part of the border fence, on foot and alone.
The Axios news website, citing Israeli officials, said the woman was studying Arabic and has in the past been prevented from crossing the southern border with the Gaza Strip.
The woman was returned to Israel via Russia on February 19, in a deal brokered by Moscow. As part of the deal, Israel released several Syrian citizens into its custody and reportedly financed the purchase of $ 1.2 million in Russian-made COVID-19 vaccines for use in Syria.
Illustrative: Part of the fence that separates northern Israel from Syria and Jordan, in the Golan Heights, northern Israel, on March 3, 2021. (Michael Giladi / Flash90)
After the woman was returned, she reportedly told Israeli investigators that she was “looking for adventure”. According to Channel 12, she did not apologize or express regret for the trip. Investigators determined that she did not cooperate with any enemy entities while in Syria.
Her Facebook page shows her traveling frequently within Israel, including several Arab areas and the West Bank. In a post, she wrote: “I don’t recognize your lines, green, blue or purple, and not even a red line is going to stop me.”
According to Israeli officials, the woman tried twice to enter the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip – once on land and once on an improvised raft – and once again trying to enter Jordan illegally. All three times she was captured by the military or the police.
According to the Haaretz news website, the woman’s public defenders said of the accusation on Sunday: “It is clear to everyone that the young woman did not harm – and did not intend to harm – national security. And then, it is very strange that [authorities] has chosen to specifically indict a young woman with no criminal record who is dealing with a complex background. After studying the research material, we will consider our next legal steps. ”
