The Israeli cabinet officially designated Islamic State, the Nusra Front and the Abdullah Azzam Brigades as terrorist organizations. Photo: Screenshot.

JNS.org – The Israeli cabinet on Sunday officially designated Islamic State, the Nusra Front and the Abdullah Azzam Brigades as terrorist organizations, effectively outlawing any affiliation with them. The decision followed a recommendation by the Shin Bet security agency.

Speaking at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was “constantly fighting terrorist organizations.” The designation was made under Israel’s Prevention of Terror Ordinance. As such, anyone convicted of funding, contacting, or having any other form of affiliation with Islamic State, the Nusra Front, or the Abdullah Azzam Brigades (a Lebanon-based offshoot of al-Qaeda) will be subject to the punitive measures outlined in the ordinance, including long prison sentences.