Three Knesset members of the Balad party on Thursday toured the Beirut neighborhood of Dahiya, considered a Hezbollah stronghold. The area was heavily bombed during the month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah militants.

The MKs, Azmi Bishara, Jamal Zahalka and Wasal Taha, arrived in Lebanon from Syria, where they met with Syrian officials, in contravention of Israeli law.

Bishara appealed to Syria and Lebanon to sow disquiet in Israel, thereby forcing it to come to the negotiating table.

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"Israel needs now to choose between peace and war. Instead of trying to blur these, Syria and Lebanon can participate in deepening the distress in Israel in order that the issue of a just peace can be raised, not just partial arrangements," he said without elaborating.

Israel Police announced Thursday that the department of international investigations will open a criminal probe into the MKs for their visit to Syria, which had not been authorized by Interior Minister Roni Bar-On, as required by law.

In Dahiya, the MKs heard testimonies from residents who said their houses had been destroyed in Israeli air strikes.

"The personal identification with Lebanon and with its strong position is more important than legal formulations," Bishara said after meeting former Lebanese prime minister Salim al-Hus.

Bishara said that he identifies with no particular side in internal Lebanese disputes, and added that he is not passing any form of comunication between Syria and Lebanon.

Zahalka said that during the tour of the neighborhood, the MKs did not meet with anyone affiliated with Hezbollah.

MK Zahalka told Haaretz by phone from Beirut that "it is hard to imagine the sights of destruction here."

Friday morning the Knesset members are expected to meet with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and to discuss the consequences of the war and political developments in the region.

Zahalka said he and his colleagues do not view Lebanon as an enemy country, nor do they see any Arab country bordering Israel as an enemy.

On Wednesday, the lawmakers met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus.

During the visit, Bishara warned Assad to be alert to an Israeli attack, and praised Syria's support of the Palestinians.

The visit was coordinated with the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, who serves as a conduit to Hezbollah.

Bishara's trip to Syria was his first a visit to the country five years ago that prompted a law prohibiting Knesset members from traveling to enemy countries.

The Balad party released a statement several days ago saying that the MKs' visit was "the realization of the right of Arabs in Israel to remain in contact with Arab nations."