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Bishara says surprised by allegations against him

In first interview since he left Israel, Balad Chairman Azmi Bishara tells al-Jazeera he was astounded by 'hysteria, incitement' against him in Israel

"During my stay abroad I was astounded by the hysteria and the unprecedented incitement against me," Balad Chairman Azmi Bishara said in an interview to Qatar-based television news channel al-Jazeera Sunday.

 

In the interview, which was held in Qatar's capital Doha, Bishara responded for the first time to the rumors surrounding him and to an Israeli court's decision to publish the fact that an investigation is being carried out against him.

 

Bishara said in the interview that he had been questioned by the police and was surprised to learn what the suspicions against him were. He claimed that "an orchestrated campaign" has bee launched against him, which "raises questions as to what the rules of the game are."

 

According to Bishara, contrary to the conception that Balad has become more radical since 2000, "It is Israeli society that has become more extreme."

 

"We are the true natives of this land, and we refuse to accept the assumption that those who are the enemies of the state are also our enemies. They (the police) consider this an offense," he stated.

 

When asked whether he plans to resign the Knesset and leave Israel, Bishara said, "I've reached a stage where I feel I've reached my maximum capacity, after 11 years of parliamentary service and the creation of Balad. I'm now considering when and how to resign. I have not yet come to a decision regarding the timing."

 

The MK also claimed that his trip abroad had been pre-planned, and that he has not decided to leave Israel. "I'm weighing my options, and I obviously have job offers abroad," he concluded.

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.15.07, 21:48
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