Haniyeh's sister accused of incitement testifies: "I don't know how to read or write"

The evidentiary phase in the trial of Sabah Haniyeh, sister of Ismail Haniyeh, accused of incitement and identification with a terrorist organization, began at the Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court. Haniyeh claimed in her defense that she cannot read or write, and therefore is not responsible for messages sent from her device, which included praise for Hamas's massacre. The prosecution argued that the extensive correspondence indicates a "diligent typist."

The evidentiary phase in the trial of Sabah al-Salam Haniyeh (57), a resident of Tel Sheva and sister of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, took place today (Thursday) at the Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court. Haniyeh, accused of incitement and identification with a terrorist organization, took the stand and claimed in her defense that she cannot read or write, and therefore is not responsible for messages sent from her device. Her defense attorneys presented an electronic pen that reads Quran verses to her. During cross-examination, the defendant was confronted with messages sent from her phone as early as 6:52 AM on October 7, including intense correspondence with contacts and her brother. Haniyeh claimed that the phone is used by dozens of family members, children, and grandchildren, and suggested that a two-year-old grandson might have sent the message. The prosecutor countered that the extensive correspondence indicates a "diligent typist." The legal proceedings follow her arrest in April 2024, after a raid on her home uncovered media devices, documents, and hundreds of thousands of shekels in cash. The indictment attributes to her sending messages of praise and encouragement to her brother for the massacre, including the message: "God, let them be busy with their bodies and take them, kill - and don't leave anyone." Haniyeh emphasized in her testimony that she rejects incitement, has lived in Israel for over 40 years, and has no ability to act beyond trying to take cover from the rockets.