The Israeli government ruled Sunday afternoon to formally declare several organizations previously defined as “unlawful associations” as “terrorist organizations.” 

Among them: 

• Islamic state (ISIS) – increasing areas under its control, which currently include large swathes of both Iraq and Syria; gaining Islamist support worldwide; has inspired ‘affiliate’ groups in Israel, Judea-Samaria and Gaza;
• Al-Nusra Front – Syrian branch of Al Qaeda; currently controls much of northern Syria and parts of southern Syria, including along the Israel-Syrian border in the Golan Heights;
• Abdullah Azam Brigades – operates in Syria and Lebanon; has been involved in rocket fire on Israeli civilians; has close ties with other terror groups in the region, including Al Qaeda. 

All three organizations were declared “unlawful associations” in 2014, under Regulation 84 of the Defense (Emergency) Regulations.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement Sunday that “several measures were carried out by the State of Israel against murderous terrorist organizations,” and that wide-ranging legal steps would be taken against officials involved in those organizations. 

“We are constantly fighting ISIS, the Al Nusra Front, and other terrorist organizations,” Netanyahu noted in his weekly Cabinet meeting remarks earlier Sunday. “Yesterday an Israeli civilian crossed our border in the Golan Heights into Syria to join the ranks of the enemy.”

“We will act to nullify his citizenship. That is what is done in any such case. Whoever joins the ranks of the enemy to fight against Israel, will not be an Israeli citizen. “