The suspicions against Azmi Bishara relate to the most serious offense in criminal law. The charge of assisting the enemy in its war on Israel carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison.

In the event of a conviction, one of those sentences is mandatory. The relevant clause in criminal law requires that the act be committed with the intention of aiding the enemy, and that it actually did so. The clause defines "assistance" broadly, "including transmitting information with the intention that it reach or may reach the enemy." It doesn't matter if at the time of the transmission, no war was going on.

The other offense for which Bishara is being investigated is "transmitting information to the enemy." According to the law, the maximum penalty for knowingly transmitting information to or for the enemy is 10 years in jail. If the information helped the enemy, then the sentence increases to 15 years. If transmitting the information was intended to harm state security, the sentence could be for life. In the event that negligence, without criminal intent, led to the transmission of useful information to or for the enemy, the offender may receive up to three years in prison.

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There is also an investigation into contact with a foreign agent. Criminal law states that anyone who knowingly contacts a foreign agent and has no reasonable explanation for it can be punished by up to 15 years in jail. The term "foreign agent" is defined broadly. It includes anyone who may reasonably be suspected of working for or being sent to work by a foreign country or terror organization, in collecting secret information or other deeds that could harm state security. A conviction on this offense requires proving that the suspect intended to harm state security.

Moneylaundering suspicions hinge on a law stating that trying to conceal or camouflage the provenance of property is punishable with a 10-year sentence.

Because of the severity of the security charges against Bishara, it clearly appears he would be arrested were he to return to Israel. It is also likely he would be held without bail for the duration of the legal process.

Because of the severity of the charges, it is hard to believe Bishara would return to Israel in light of the fact he no longer has parliamentary immunity.