A Singaporean Housewife’s Radicalization Journey: The Impact of the Israel-Hamas Conflict
In a recent development, a 56-year-old Singaporean housewife named Hamizah Hamzah found herself under the scrutiny of the Internal Security Department (ISD) due to her radicalization following the Israel-Hamas conflict. The ISD issued a restriction order against her last month, imposing conditions that restricted her movements, including not being allowed to change residence or employment without approval, as well as prohibiting her from accessing the internet and social media.
Hamizah’s radicalization reportedly began after Hamas initiated attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. She started following and supporting military operations conducted by the Axis of Resistance (AOR), a network of Islamist militant and terrorist organizations. Consuming content depicting Palestinian suffering, Hamizah gradually developed a strong animosity towards Israel and the Israel Defense Forces, believing they should be eradicated.
As her radical beliefs solidified, Hamizah joined various social media groups that promoted violent acts by the AOR. She became a fervent supporter of the organization, justifying the violent actions of groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Her admiration for Hamas spokesperson Abu Obaidah was profound, and she expressed willingness to communicate with AOR-linked militants if given the opportunity.
Online Promotion of Radical Ideologies
Unable to participate physically in the conflict, Hamizah took to the internet to promote AOR’s agenda. She posted content glorifying armed violence and martyrdom, actively seeking support for the organization online. Despite facing bans on her accounts due to the violent content she shared, Hamizah persistently created new accounts to continue her advocacy for AOR.
Furthermore, Hamizah made violent threats against supporters of Israel, urging others to engage in armed violence against the country’s defense forces. Managing several pro-AOR social media groups with varying membership sizes, she played a significant role in disseminating pro-AOR and anti-Israel narratives. The ISD noted that Hamizah took pride in her role as the administrator of these groups, feeling responsible for spreading the extremist ideologies they promoted.
Although Hamizah did not have intentions to participate in armed violence locally or overseas, her unwavering support for AOR and her active role in spreading propaganda online raised security concerns, according to the ISD. Surprisingly, her family was unaware of her radicalization, as she deliberately concealed her extremist views to avoid potential criticism or backlash.
The Influence of Extremist Ideologies Beyond Borders
In a separate incident, a 34-year-old Malaysian cleaner working in Singapore, Saharuddin Saari, was arrested under the ISA and repatriated to Malaysia. Saharuddin’s radicalization journey began in 2014 when he encountered ISIS-related content related to the Syrian conflict. By 2017, he had become a staunch supporter of ISIS, pledging allegiance to its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Even after Baghdadi’s death in 2019, Saharuddin continued to advocate for ISIS and armed jihad online, expressing a desire to martyr himself for the cause and establish an Islamic caliphate in Southeast Asia. Despite his aspirations, financial constraints prevented him from fulfilling his plans to travel to Syria.
Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, Saharuddin voiced his support for Hamas and the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (AQB), considering traveling to Gaza to fight alongside the group. His inability to secure the necessary funds once again thwarted his intentions.
While Saharuddin had no concrete plans to carry out attacks in Singapore or radicalize others in the country, he expressed willingness to resort to violence if he perceived Singapore as aligning with what he deemed as enemies of Islam. Consequently, his work pass was terminated, and he was repatriated to Malaysia, where he was handed over to the Malaysian Special Branch for further investigation.
In conclusion, the cases of Hamizah Hamzah and Saharuddin Saari shed light on the far-reaching impact of conflicts like the Israel-Hamas conflict, leading to the radicalization of individuals beyond the borders of directly affected regions. The rise of extremist ideologies poses a significant security challenge, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and preventive measures to curb the spread of violent extremism.
