Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., April 12, 2007 Nisan 24, 5767 | | Israel Time: 07:25 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Print Edition
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National Arts & Leisure Anglo File Sports Travel  
Magazine Week's End
Q&A
Business Underground Jewish World Real Estate Advertising  
Bookmark to del.icio.us
MK Azmi Bishara (Archive)
Last update - 00:10 12/04/2007
Balad: Return of MK Bishara's wife proves he hasn't fled Israel
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent

The wife and children of Balad MK Azmi Bishara returned Wednesday to Israel following a multiple day visit to Jordan with her husband. A spokesperson for the Balad party said her return is proof that Bishara is not planning to flee Israel or emigrate from it.

Bishara, who flew from Israel two weeks ago, left Jordan on Tuesday for a trip to Europe. Balad sources say he will visit Spain and France, where he will participate in international conferences and hold meetings.

He will then leave for a conference in Bahrain on Arab nationalism, and may also visit India, they said.

Advertisement

It is still unclear whether reports that Bishara will leave the Knesset are accurate.

"Bishara is continuing with his plans as usual. He is not setting his schedule according to the media. He knows when is supposed to be quiet and when he will speak. For now he is continuing with plans that were made ahead of time and he has no intention of playing into the hands of this person or another," the sources said.

Before leaving Jordan, Bishara met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdelelah al-Khatib. The Balad party Web site said the two spoke for an hour on regional developments.

On Tuesday, Balad continued to claim vehemently that the rumors that Bishara is planning not to return to Israel are unfounded.

The party stated that its Knesset representatives will return to their parliamentary routine on Wednesday.

The Western Galilee village of Tarshiha is following reports closely; the Bishara family is considered large and well-established in the community.

Bishara has always taken pride in his Galilee roots, despite spending most of his time in Nazareth and Jerusalem.

A cousin, Dr. Riyadh Bishara, is a Hadash member of the Ma'alot-Tarshiha city council, and despite their political differences, he has declared the family supports Azmi Bishara.

"There is no doubt Azmi is under a planned attack by the establishment and the defense sector, which has unfortunately succeeded in recruiting supporters in the Arab population."

Shas said Tuesday that it is reviewing ways to outlaw Balad. Shas had petitioned the Elections Committee to disqualify Balad before the last elections, but the High Court of Justice approved Balad's list of candidates.

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) said Tuesday, "I am not familiar with the details of the affair, but no one has undermined the delicate Jewish-Arab relations in Israel more than Bishara, and if he were to decide to leave, it would benefit all of us."

National Religious Party leader Zevulun Orlev on Tuesday submitted a bill that would revoke the right of anyone who visited an enemy state to run for Knesset.

"Visits to enemy countries encourage terror against Israel," he said.

"The Knesset cannot be a refuge for lawmakers who seek to destroy the state from within."

Bookmark to del.icio.us
Health benefits
After years of negotiations, victims of the 1950s polio epidemic will get compensation.
Mammary woes
No one can identify the gel Russian doctors used in breast implants in the 1990s.
  1.   Regardless of his wife`s where abouts, Bishara should either 03:58  |  Samir Khouri 12/04/07
  2.   Falling into trapp?!! 04:16  |  Sofimore 12/04/07
  3.   to #1 05:34  |  Gadi Berkowitz 12/04/07
  4.   Berkowitz - what do you know about Bishara and his 06:21  |  Samir Khouri 12/04/07
  5.   Peace 07:10  |  Jack Disraeli 12/04/07
 Today Online
Hamas: Israel's terms for prisoner deal make it 'doomed to fail'
Responses: 318
AG: Settlers at Hebron house can petition against eviction
Responses: 178
Lawyers for Hezbollah detainees say they deserve POW status
Responses: 75
Amira Hass: Not all Palestinian prisoners are criminals
Responses: 198
Report: Hezbollah says prepared for summer war
Responses: 153
Rosner's Domain
* Senator Fulbright, 1967: The trouble is that Jews think they control the Senate
* Rosner's Guest: American life has annihilated Jewish Peoplehood
* Blog and Poll: The Middle East is Pelosi's playground
* The Jewish Factor: Democrats better on Darfur, Church-State


More Headlines
05:44 U.S. Secretary of Defense to visit Israel next week
05:50 Negotiator: Damascus genuinely willing to initiate peace talks
05:55 Mazuz: Settlers have 30 days to challenge Hebron eviction order
07:20 ANALYSIS: To free Shalit, Israel must skip arrogant declarations
01:42 Body of Israeli found in China identified as Ada Gershkowitz
06:43 Treasury, teachers union trade blows as strike moves into second day
01:30 Rights group: Prisons Service blocking inmate's kidney transplant
05:27 Water Authority: Lake Kinneret water level down two meters
00:10 Balad: Return of MK Bishara's wife proves he hasn't fled Israel
21:34 Migrant workers group: Judiciary treats human traffickers lightly
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Skin Care Products
Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off!
JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM
The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here!
A Different Israel Experience
Unique programs for adults of all ages
Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel
Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt.
CAMP KIMAMA ISRAEL
Israel's international summer camps!
Learn Hebrew Online
Learn Hebrew from the best teachers in Israel live over the Internet
Home| Print Edition| Diplomacy| Opinion| Arts & Leisure| Sports| Jewish World| Underground| Site rules|
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved