A former Israeli Arab lawmaker is suspected of aiding the enemy during wartime, police said. An Israeli court allowed publication Wednesday of details in the case against Azmi Bishara, who left the country weeks ago and then tendered his resignation from the Knesset from abroad, saying he was being persecuted by authorities in the Jewish state.
According to police, Bishara is suspected of aiding Israel’s enemies during last year’s war with Hezbollah and violating money-laundering laws. The police statement appeared to suggest that Bishara has abetted Hezbollah, a Lebanese terrorist militia with which he has openly sympathized. Bishara, 50, a fierce ideological opponent of the Jewish state, denied the allegations. He has not said when or if he will return to Israel, citing concern he could be arrested and mired in a lengthy prosecution.
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