Azmi Bishara (file)
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| By: israelinsider staff |
| Published: April 23, 2007 |
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Azmi Bishara, who resigned Sunday from the Knesset via the Israeli Embassy in Egypt, was reported Monday to have left Egypt by London-based Ashark al-Awsat newspaper.
The former Balad chairman MK's current location remains unknown, reported Israel Radio.
Bishara had left Israel amid a police investigation into his questionable foreign contacts. The media began reporting suspicions of an investigation for accusations like treason and corruption earlier this month, prompting Bishara to leave the country.
"I won't stop my political activities and will always remain in contact," Bishara told Al-Jazeera TV after submitting his resignation to the Israeli embassy in Cairo.
According to Bishara, who originally intended to submit his resignation in Israel, he was forced to do so earlier in Cairo due to the matter being "spun into an anti-Arab Israeli campaign."
Bishara claimed Saturday that he might not return to Israel for fear of a trial and harsh jail sentence on account of the investigation. He said that he resigned because the right-wing MKs were anxious to strip him of his immunity and Knesset related privileges.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera Sunday, Bishara said that the police investigation had limited his options to martyrdom, exile or incarceration.
"I will not venture going back while these threats still stand," stated Bishara, according to a group of Egyptian intellectuals he met with Saturday.
Bishara said, according to the group, that the accusations of "providing enemy with information at a time of war, visiting an enemy country and bringing money illegally into the state of Israel," are "politically motivated and aim at ending his political activities."
The group also stated that Bishara had said he would not resign from the Knesset.
In his resignation letter, Bishara wrote, "Since the elections I made up my mind to resign from Knesset and dedicate more time to contemplative and literary writing. In addition, I have always believed that I was at the Knesset out of duty, and not as a profession."
The Petah Tikva Magistrates Court confirmed last Sunday the investigation into Bishara, but said no details could be published due to a court-imposed gag order.
Bishara has made no official comments to the press, since no charges have been made.
MKs from across the board have condemned Bishara for his behavior and asked him to resign.
According to said MK Arye Eldad (NU/NRP), "I bless him for his decision and call on all his friends in the Arab factions to follow his lead and free the Israeli Knesset from the presence of those who aid the enemies of the state." He added that he was hopeful "Bishara will find political asylum in Syria or with his friends in Hezbollah."
Bishara will be replaced by Attorney Said Nafa when his resignation comes into effect on Tuesday.
The Knesset House Committee will discuss next week the cancellation of some of Bishara's benefits, such as free newspapers and his PR budget. |
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