Israeli Arab lawmaker suspected of aiding "enemy"

JERUSALEM, Apr 25 (Reuters) Israeli police suspect that Azmi Bishara, an Arab who has quit Israel's parliament, aided one of the country's enemies during last year's war against Hezbollah guerrillas, a police spokesman said today.

Bishara, who heads the anti-Zionist party Balad, denied any wrongdoing, telling the Arab news channel Al Jazeera he did not have direct contact with the Lebanese guerrilla group, which Israeli law characterises as an enemy organisation.

A police document, released after a court partially lifted a gag order, said Bishara, 50, is suspected of aiding the enemy in wartime through information he conveyed, violating money-laundering laws and committing other security-related crimes.

The document did not specifically mention Hezbollah nor elaborate on the allegations. No charges have been brought in the case.

Bishara resigned from Israel's Knesset on Sunday at the Israeli embassy in Cairo and said he would stay abroad for a time because of a ''racist'' climate back home.

A police source said Bishara could be arrested immediately if he returned to Israel. He lost his immunity to criminal prosecution when he quit the legislature.

In the interview broadcast today on Qatari-based Al Jazeera, Bishara said he had not received any funds from Hezbollah, which fired some 4,000 rockets into Israel during the 34-day conflict.

According to the police document, Bishara was twice questioned under caution.

''The investigating bodies are hopeful that Bishara will arrive to continue his investigation as obliged,'' the document said.

Bishara has clashed with Israel's justice system in the past by making solidarity trips to Syria and Lebanon and invoking parliamentary immunity to evade prosecution for visiting ''enemy states''.

''Exile is not an option. Return is definite but the matter will take some time and arrangements. I want to set the rules of the game,'' Bishara told Al Jazeera on Sunday.

He said that if he stayed in Israel, legal proceedings could drag on for years and he would not be able to leave.

Balad holds three of the 120 seats in the Israeli parliament. Its call for Israel to cease being defined as a Jewish state and for Palestinians to achieve statehood in the West Bank and Gaza Strip resonates with many Israeli Arabs, who complain of discrimination by the Jewish majority.

Reuters ABM VV1838