Said Naffaa
MK criticizes alleged Israeli violation of Syrian airspace
Said Naffaa, who is visiting Damascus without authorization, tells reporters 'clouds of war are gathering between Syria and Israel as a result of Jerusalem's aggressive intentions'
A member of the Israeli parliament who defied a government order not to visit Syria criticized Israel on Monday for a reported overflight of Syria by Israeli warplanes last week and for having "aggressive intentions".
Damascus' Response
Syrian parliament member Muhammad Habash tells Arab news network Al Arabiya: Israel's failure to respond to its infiltration of Syrian airspace proves that incident was a failed attack mission. FM al-Moallem: We are prepared to defend ourselves against any attack, but our basic priority is comprehensive peace
Lawmaker Said Naffaa, heading a delegation of Druze clerics, spoke to reporters in Damascus after meeting Syrian Vice-President Farouk al-Sharaa.
Syria has said that Israeli aircraft broke the sound barrier flying over northern Syria before dawn Thursday, then "dropped munitions" onto deserted areas after being shot at by Syria's air defenses. Turkey has complained to Israel that the warplanes dropped fuel tanks on its soil.
The purpose of the overflight is not clear, and Israel and Washington have declined to comment. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, on a trip to Turkey on Monday, called the overflight a "hostile act".
Naffaa said Syria's announcement of the reported Israeli violation aimed to send Israel a message, "Don't play with fire and try to heat up the region."
'Israel will not let this go unpunished'
He accused Israel of not being serious about establishing peace in the Middle East, warning that the clouds of war are gathering between Syria and Israel as a result of "Israel's aggressive intentions".
Naffaa made the visit despite an earlier government order specifically banning him from going to Syria, one of the Jewish state's arch foes. The government did not specify how it would respond. In Damascus, he said he was expecting the government might punish him.
"We know well that Israel will not let this go (unpunished)," he said. The delegation of Druze clerics was ready to pay any price "to strengthen communications with Syria".
Azmi Bishara, a former Arab Israeli lawmaker, has been on the run since June after he was accused by Israel of spying for Lebanon's militant Hizbullah group, an ally of Syria, during its war with Israel last summer.
Bishara, who denies the accusation, angered Israeli officials over the years by meeting with some of Israel's bitterest enemies, including the leaders of Syria and Hizbullah.
Bishara left Israel in early June after being grilled twice by investigators and later resigned his parliament seat. Israeli police said he would be arrested immediately if he returns to Israel.
