Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., February 25, 2008 Adar1 19, 5768 | | Israel Time: 10:16 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Balad MK Said Nafaa. (Jini Archives) Last update - 20:05 13/12/2007 Druze MK probed for contacts with foreign agent By Jack Khoury, Jonathan Lis and Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Druze, Israel, Said Nafaa  Police questioned Balad MK Said Nafaa for a second time on Thursday over the Druze lawmaker's visit to Syria in September, in defiance of a ban on visits by MKs to enemy states. Nafaa confirmed to Haaretz that the police suspect him of holding contacts with a foreign agent during his trip to Syria, and he has been summoned to appear for further questioning on Sunday. Nafaa said that the investigation against him is part and parcel of a new policy dictated by the Shin Bet security service against the Arab public and the Druze community in particular. Nafaa cited Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin's statements in which he accused Israeli Arabs of presenting a strategic threat to the state. Advertisement The Druze MK also accused the security services of employing a strategy of fear and intimidation against Israel's Arab citizens by denying them the basic right of maintaining contact with relatives and acquaintances in neighboring states, including Syria. During questioning, police quizzed Nafaa over a number of telegrams which arrived at gathering organized by Balad in the town of Shfaram in protest of last month's Annapolis peace conference. One of the telegrams was sent by a Damascus-based operative of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Nafaa said that he understood from the tone of the interrogation that police were seeking to tie him to the telegram as part of a possible charge of having contact with a foreign agent. Some fifty Druze clerics waited outside the police station in support of Nafaa. Ten senior Druze religious figures who accompanied Nafaa as part of the same delegation to Syria were also summoned to appear for police questioning. The Druze replied that they have no plans to appear on the date noted in the summons - December 17 - since the day falls on the eve of Eid al-Adha, the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice. Following the police's first round of questioning Sunday, the public committee for the protection of civil liberties, which operates within the framework of the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, asked Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to immediately halt the investigation, as Nafaa's visit falls within the framework of legitimate and transparent political activity. "This activity stems from the Arab population's basic and natural right to contact and visit Arab countries," the committee wrote, adding that "the State of Israel seeks to isolate its Arab population from the Palestinians and the Arab world." Nafaa's office said at the time that the visit, as part of a delegation of Druze religious leaders, was aimed at strengthening ties between Israeli and Syrian Druze, as well as improving links between Israeli Arabs and the Syrian people. Nafaa said Sunday that the questioning only strengthened his belief that the investigation into him is politically motivated. "I am an MK and political figure and it is very important to me to hear what the Syrian administration is saying, and what their positions are on issues such as war and peace," said Nafaa. "It was essential that I meet with them." The MK added that, should he be charged over the visit, he will forfeit his immunity and be prepared to stand trial. Nafaa's office said that Labor Party MKs and other officials have visited Syria in the past and were not questioned afterwards. Nafaa himself visited Syria following the death of Syrian President Hafez Assad in 2000 and was not investigated upon his return to Israel. Related articles: MK Nafaa ignores gov't travel ban, arrives in Syria for a visit 3 Israeli journalists probed over travel to enemy states Bookmark to del.icio.us   And the Oscar goes to... Olmert is pulling for Beaufort, saying 'it's time Israel won an Oscar.' Battling on foreign soil Israeli Americans voted Clinton, but Obama won the global primary.   1.   Why? 13:46  |  Syl 13/12/07   2.   To Syl 15:07  |  IsraeliArab 13/12/07   3.   the immoral zionist entity employing terror tactics 15:52  |  Leon Rosgarten 13/12/07   4.   `Rights group` - how about a `responsibilities group`? 19:32  |  You 13/12/07   5.   never was it more apparent than nowadays 20:00  |  Kris 13/12/07   6.   simple solution 20:15  |  realism 13/12/07   7.   THROW HIM OUT OF ISRAEL !!!! 20:18  |  amir 13/12/07   8.   Leon Rosgarten,patience,glorious Druze`ve retaken Peknin from Zio 22:15  |  Absolute Sweden 13/12/07   9.   I agree with IsraeliArab 10:07  |  Slibovitz 25/02/08

Today Online Burston: Palestine's ultimate doomsday weapon - non-violence Responses: 1 PM: Israel ready for every scenario during Gaza protest Responses: 50 Obama`s top adviser: Israel and Arabs must negotiate own peace Responses: 13 Akiva Eldar: Jews who are a threat to Zionism Send response Rosner's Domain Iran Could Have Enough Uranium for a Bomb by Year's End (WTR) Poll: Is it time for Israel to end the blockade in Gaza? What America wants from an operation in Gaza Guests: Jewish women don't want to be shut out U.S. victims of Palestinian terror await gov't stance on compensation More Headlines 09:17 PM: Israel ready for any scenario during Gaza protest 09:42 Qatar willing to broker cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas 04:33 ANALYSIS: Mass Gaza march puts Hamas in a win-win situation 08:30 Israel to boycott UN conference on human rights and racism 09:26 Jewish filmmakers Joel, Ethan Coen win Oscar for 'No Country' 09:21 Obama`s top adviser says does not believe in imposing a peace settlement 08:28 Three Hamas militants killed in two separate IAF strikes in Gaza 02:40 In rare ruling, court orders settlers off Arab family's land 03:32 Canada's top court rejects appeal for passport to show 'Jerusalem, Israel' 08:14 T.A. cinema to screen 'Jenin, Jenin' on eve of director's libel trial 07:12 PM on Japan visit calls for tougher Iran sanctions in wake of IAEA report Previous Editions Select Day 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved