Details of Investigation Against Azmi Bisha Revealed as Gag Order Partially Lifted
Today, 25 April, the Israeli Magistrate's Court in Petah Tikva partially lifted a gag order that was imposed on the ongoing legal investigation against Azmi Bishara.
The request to lift the gag order was made by MK Jamal Zahalka of Bishara's Balad party along with several Israeli media sources. They asked for an immediate end to the gag order.
The police, however, were calling for an extension of the gag order.
The month-old gag order had banned publication of any details of the police investigation.
Bishara, who was leader of the National Democratic Assembly Party (BALAD), has been abroad the past month. He submitted his resignation from the Knesset at the Israeli embassy in Cairo on 21 April, accusing authorities of persecuting him for his strident criticism of the Jewish state.
According to the details that have been released, the suspicions include aiding Israel's enemies during wartime, passing intelligence to the enemy and contacts with foreign agents, some of which the information alleges, took place during the 34 day Second Lebanon War.
In addition to these accusations, Bishara is also alleged to have laundered money, by personally receiving large amounts of money from abroad, some of which was transferred during the war.
These allegations, threaten to further polarize Israel’s Jews and minority Arabs, who make up around 23 percent of the population and have suffered from second-class status since the state was established six decades ago.