Ex-MK Bishara suspected of treason, passing data to Hezbollah

"Christian`s have been forced out of Bethlehem by the PA`s thugs demanding payoff and direct threats. Here`s a bit for you to read & learn from. Want more? Just ask, I`ve got plenty...." One has to wonder why you're so adamant about the plight of Christians in Palestine. What's your motive? Have you ever personally talked to any Christians in Palestine? I have several Christian friends who live in Bethlehem. When I have visited them none complained about being persecuted. One friend owns a hotel on Manger street. How do you explain this discrepancy?

If the Muslim Arabs hadn't so badly mistreated the Christian Arabs, many that left would have remained....Here's a few examples for you to digest....GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip // Not so long ago, Christmas was a holiday for more than the Gaza Strip's scattering of Christians. City officials hung ornaments and lights on a cypress tree in Gaza's main square and gave government workers the day off. On Christmas Eve, recalls Mona Qubrosy, a practicing Roman Catholic, hundreds of people, Christian and Muslim alike, would sit together in the pews of Gaza's only Catholic church for midnight Mass. But this Christmas season, Gaza's Christian community will be reminded of what a tiny minority they are. There will be no city Christmas tree. No public holiday, either. Qubrosy's husband, a schoolteacher, must work on Dec. 25. Her son, one of four Christians enrolled at Gaza's Islamic University, is scheduled on Christmas Day to take a final exam on the life of the Prophet Mohammad. Because of security concerns, the midnight Mass will be held at 7 p.m. "People want to celebrate but they cannot because of what's going on. We have to show solidarity with the Muslims. The other families are not happy so we can't be either," said Qubrosy. During the past six years of violence in the Middle East conflict, the Christmas season has been marked by muted celebrations among the Palestinian Christians. In Bethlehem, the traditional place of Jesus' birth now penned in by Israel's separation barrier, city officials are again anticipating a poor turnout at festivities planned on Manger Square. In Gaza, the mood is even more somber after a year that has brought Israeli military sieges, a debilitating economic boycott against the Hamas-led government and escalating violence between rival Palestinian political factions that many residents fear may devolve into all-out civil war. For Gaza's Christians, the situation is complicated by their precarious position as a shrinking minority in an increasingly conservative Muslim majority. Historically, relations between Muslims and Christians in the Holy Land have been good, and many Christians and Muslims say they've been drawn closer by the struggle against the Israeli occupation. But in the past year, their interfaith ties have been shaken by flare-ups of violence directed at Christians by some extremist groups and individuals. When a Dutch newspaper printed cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad earlier this year, sparking outrage among many Muslims, explosives were placed outside the meeting hall of a Baptist Bible study group and a group of Catholic nuns received death threats. After Pope Benedict XVI's controversial speech about Islam in September, Gaza's 1,400-year-old Greek Orthodox church was hit by homemade explosives, keeping many worshipers away out of fear. Since the election of the Islamic Hamas movement, some Christian women have begun covering their heads with scarves like their Muslim counterparts so they can better fit into Gaza's increasingly conservative society.

True status of Christian's in Israel....Christians Flee Growing Islamic Fundamentalism in the Holy Land Justus Reid Weiner The Christian population of the areas under the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA) has sharply declined in recent decades, as tens of thousands have abandoned their holy sites and ancestral properties to live abroad. Those who remain comprise a beleaguered and dwindling minority. In sharp contrast, Israel's Christian community has prospered and grown by at least 270 percent since the founding of the state. While Israel understands that the construction of the security barrier inconveniences some of the Christian communities living in its vicinity, Israel has shown sensitivity to Christian interests in planning the route of the barrier. The plight of Christian Arabs remaining in the PA is, in part, attributable to the adoption of Muslim religious law in the PA Constitution. Israel, by contrast, safeguards the religious freedom and holy places of its Christian (and Muslim) citizens. Indeed, in recent years Israel has been responsible for restoring many of the churches and monasteries under its jurisdiction. The growing strength of Islamic fundamentalism within the Palestinian national movement poses problems for Christians, who fear they will be deemed opponents of Islam and thereby risk becoming targets for Muslim extremists. This is exacerbated by the fact that Hamas holds substantial power and seeks to impose its radical Islamist identity on the entire population within the PA-controlled territories. Who Threatens Christians in the Holy Land? Palestinian Christians have a higher rate of emigration compared to Palestinian Muslims and the Christian population of the West Bank and Gaza has plunged from about 20 percent after World War II to less than 1.7 percent now.1 Tens of thousands have abandoned their holy sites and ancestral properties to live abroad.2 Some senior Christian clerics claim that the dramatic rise in Christian emigration from PA-controlled territories is a result of the Israeli "occupation."3 However, in-depth research demonstrates that the precipitous decline in the Christian population is primarily a result of social, economic, and religious discrimination and persecution within Palestinian society in the West Bank and Gaza. In a July 3, 2006, article, "Who Harms Holy Land Christians?," syndicated columnist Robert D. Novak, a long-time critic of Israel, paraphrased a letter from Michael H. Sellers, an Anglican priest in Jerusalem, to U.S. Congressmen Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Joseph Crowley (D-NY), who were circulating a draft resolution blaming the Christian decline on the discriminatory practices of the Palestinian Authority.4 Sellers insisted that "the real problem [behind the Christian Arab exodus] is the Israeli occupation - especially its new security wall." Yet two-thirds of the Christian Arabs had already departed between 1948 and 1967, when Jordan occupied the West Bank and Egypt the Gaza Strip, prior to the "occupation" and decades before construction began on the security barrier to protect Israel's population from waves of deadly suicide bombers. During the same period, hundreds of thousands of Christians were leaving other Muslim-ruled countries in the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa. Every one of the more than twenty Muslim states in the Middle East has a declining Christian population. In fact, Israel is the only state in the region in which the Christian Arab population has grown in real terms - from approximately 34,000 in 1948 to nearly 130,000 in 2005.5

'The only country in the Middle East where the Christian population is not decreasing is Israel. Why are Christians fleeing Egypt and Lebanon in droves, but not Israel?' Try looking up the percentage of the Palestinian population that was Christian in 1947, and the percentage that is Christian now. I'd say you need to learn to distinguish between what you would like the truth to be, and what the truth is.

I wonder how comes Shin Beth started seeing death penalty (in Israel!) smelling crime in Bishara's acts only after Balad party was sent letter from Shin Beth via PMO, saying that all action against "Jewish and democratic character of the state", including legal ones (!), will be thwarted? To remind, this letter was sent in reaction to Israeli Arab initiative to adopt the constitution in Israel. At any rate, Bishara's fears of a framed trial can be more than understood without any crime behind his soul.

On every misplaced occasion the Hasbarah mouthpieces trumpet the absence of capital punishment in Israel. SSman Eichmann's death sentence is always added to underline the rule with this exception. Now we hear bragging arms and waxing cords, savouring the unsatisfied revenge without any investigation. Nevermind that Bishara admittedly had no access to more strategic information than he read together with us in the press. Nevermind that Balad in general and Bishara in particular is on close radar of Shin Beth since the beginning of Bishara. What escaped Shin Beth's attention after Bishara left, that didn't escape before that? By god, this is some bad-dream wonderland! Maybe Haaretz could investigate the ways how this paradoxical threatening with death penalty surfaced into media? A golden opportunity for an article. Where did the no-capital-punishment propaganda show-piece go? An IQ test: do you have capital punishment in your country? Well, in Israel Einstein wouldn't pass it.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Jordan, are what you might really call racist. They have ZERO percentges of Jews. Anyone residing in Saudi Arabia who isn't Muslim cannot openly display a sign of his faith. A Cristian can't wear a cross or a Jew the Star of David. American servicement in Saudi Arabia must conceal their prayer services from public view.

Well, next time you'll be there, give my warmest regards to Haifa, the city so I remember as exceptional in terms of religious/social/national tolerance. Although to Haifa's score doesn't really add the facts that in some places one can live life without being much in contact with sabra Israelis and that the amount of Arab Christians wearing crosses makes the symbol at most denoting the ethnic origin. Otherwise wearing a cross in any culturally dense Israeli social sphere will be a big, mostly even subversive, statement - be it a school or the army or a white collar office.

The "International Christian Embassy" in Jerusalem is precisely targeted for the political charge in their mission. Being pro-Israeli more than most of Israelis, they are seen in the society as covering thereby their proselytizing character or simply as southern baptist cranks, dangerous for their fundamentalist fusion of religion and political influence. For the tar stains on the gate, you're invited to examine them on the spot. "in general there are probably more churches in Jerusalem than in any city on earth." In terms of built or human density it's total nonsense, even if by "Jerusalem" you only refer to the Old City. And how many churches in the Old City were established or built after 1948? Will be glad to find out since I know none. All congregations use pre-state churches. It's like harvesting credit for Israel's Islam-tolerance on account of Dome-of-the-Rock mosque being in it. And henceforth spare me the statements with words "perhaps", "probably" etc, please.

"There are probably more Christians who arrived in Israel under the "Law of Return" than there are Christian Arab Israelis." First of all consult the statistics. Secondly, the "Law of Return" will not apply to a Jew who will answer affirmatively to Misrad-haPnim's questionnaire clause asking if you converted to Christianity rather than being born to Jewish parents who converted. The Christian Israeli citizens you're talking about arrived through the family reunion laws as spouses. Those predominantly belong to the politically low-profiled Russian orthodox faith, and mostly join the "White Church" Russian congregations established before 1917 or go to Greek Orthodox congregations.

Do you mention the "Islamic" or "Arab" law to illustrate that how Israel is Christian-tolerant? Setting lower standards scale to be score more points? Jake, did you ever compare the legal and institutional obstacles in building a new church in Jerusalem with those the builders of a new synagogue or a mosque face in New York or Paris? Either you're totally unfamiliar with the popular and institutional Israeli attitudes or you think that this asymmetry is normal and justified by the historical record of Christian countries vis-a-vis Jews. To your credit, it looks like you're simply totally unfamiliar. As an architect who worked for years with the new Christian congregations' in Israel, I can assure you of that. You're welcome to this "dream country" as many Russians ironically refer to Israel paraphrasing Herzl's Altneuland. Not as a exhalted birthright tourist but as an integrated citizen and professional. You will learn to appreciate the "Christian world".

There is no disagreement with what u said and what our courages Imam Ali said, he was and incredible person, with very rare charactaristics, and by the way and just4your information, i am a Muslim Sunni from Ras Beirut. But i read your post, and realize u telling me2prepare4peace, may i just know when during the last 25 years of the conflict between "Israel" and Lebanon have u felt that peace is achievable? Can u please explain2me why didnt "israel" hand over the Sheba Farms in 2000 when they withdrew and the remaining detainess in the last swap? do u consider this a notion of peace from their side, or what about the thousands of air and sea attacks on our international waters and skies? give me one proof that this racist entity wants peace, one solid proof! I respect Haaretz for publishing my post. and do appreciate it, but "Israel" and Haaretz are not loosing anything from my post, so why would they stop it? I am a very proud LEBANESE, i feel it when i meet an egyptian or jordanian

Wake up. It looks like we are so corrupted...starting from Lebanon war probe, Katzav, etc...and now Bishara...Let's look at the other side: http://www.mahsom.com

I would just like to remind all the kind readers that Israel happens to enjoy a 20% population of Arabs and I guess this definitely allows for Arab MKs. Israel is a biased and undemocratic country and yes Bishara spoke the truth - it should be for all its citizens and its a racist country which will find its demise soon.

Christian's have been forced out of Bethlehem by the PA's thugs demanding payoff and direct threats. Here's a bit for you to read & learn from. Want more? Just ask, I've got plenty.....Midway through this century, Christians comprised about 80 percent of the population of Bethlehem. Christians now make up less than 15 percent of the town. This is a trend that mirrors the Christian flight throughout the Palestinian Authority. However, this exodus began long before Israeli checkpoints and the security wall. It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of the Christian population fled during the time when Jordan occupied the West Bank. The Christian population under the Palestinian Authority has suffered from a negative growth-rate and now number less than 50,000, or about 2.4 percent of the population. In fact, the Christian population throughout the Middle East has been in rapid decline. In 1900, Christians comprised 20 percent of the population of the Middle East; now, they are less than 2 percent. While the Muslim population has expanded rapidly in Europe and the U.S., Christians in the Middle East have experienced a negative population-growth rate. The only country noting a positive growth rate for Christians is Israel. In Israel proper, the Christian population in 1948 was 34,000. Christians now number 146,000, or 2.1 percent of the total population. Projections are that by 2010 the Christian population in Israel will reach 163,000, reflecting an average yearly growth-rate of 1.9 percent. Among non-Jewish students in Israel, the rate of high school graduation is highest for Christians. Employment rates for Israeli Christians remain much higher than for their fellow believers in the Palestinian territories.

Whatever the outcome of this, whether he is guilty or not, Bishara by his rash behaviour has caused immeasurable harm to the Arab citizens of Israel for the foreseeable future. That is the pity of it all. If he considers himself innocent he should come back and face the music.

the lebanese mastercard commercial 50,000 katyusha rockets purchased from iran = $500,000 10,000 mortars = $15,000 40,000 kalishnikovs and ammunition = $60,000 terror traing camp school tuition for your children = $3000 The spread of propaganda using the label as "hezbollah" as a front that started the war and not lebanon through the arab media = free the destruction of israel = priceless there are somethings money can't buy. for everything else there's mastercard

As a living witness, Palestinian Christian, I get my information from real life experience. I am not the propegandatist, but you are the one who have sucked all the Israei propeganda, and have been blinded from the truth.

First off, I have a right to suggest anything I want. Second off, I have a right to vote, so if I can get back for the next election, I do have a right to use it to tell the government what to do. Third off, the Gazans are wallowing in the filthy mess they've made for themselves, and suffering far more than anyone else - the kassams are more of a drought than a rain. And, fourth off, why would anyone want to hold on to villages in the Mishulash. just so Israel can have lots of fifth columnists in its midst?

Take a Hint. Transfer Israeli Arabs because they are a fifth column is a ridiculous notion. Its difficult enough to remove settlers from areas they have been encouraged by the government to live in. Now the Kahanist notion of expelling, or more politely "transferring" them is not an option. Besides there are plenty of Jews charged with handing over secrets, weapons and making money from illicit Pro-Palestinian, Anti-Israel activities. You would have to include all the bogus Jewish Russians that left the U.S.S.R. to escape the lack of toilet paper for the better life in Israel.

Where do you get the garbage that you write?? How is it that the editors give your crap the editorial time of day?? Your propagandist choice of the words "ethnically cleansed" is ridiculous at the least and disgustingly hateful and vile at the worst. Only Hitler practiced true ethnic cleansing aside from Hutsis and Tutsis in Africa. The Jordanians allowed mosques and other Muslim buildings built on Churches and former synagogues with no regard for others cultures. Israel has allowed Catholics to visit Jesus shrines, preserved them as well as protected them from lunatics and terrorists. Please spare the intelligent people that read this forum your idiotic rants and Palestinian anti Israeli rhetoric. Why don't you just go to www.alqaeda.com and register to become a real terrorist instead of forcing us to read this dribble and crap.

Moreover, we need to be careful with this governemnt. Time proved it is capable of doing everythig! They remind me with the lies of the Bush administration about the WMD of Saddam! Rmember Collen Paul in the UN? It was all fabrications! Same is suspected here. Is this goverment undermining our intellegence or what? How can we believe all this crab? It simply doesn't fit together...

I enjoyed reading your conversation.

We don't need Arab MK s in the knesset. Palestinians don't have Jewish members in their parlement, neither the Sauidis the Jordanians and the other Arab countries. A Fifth Column within Fifth Column. Who needs taht. Doesn't make sense.

Benny Weiss: "Will Israel send their assassination teams after him? Or just let him be?" Neither. Bishara is a spy working for Israel. Very similar to Pelosi's trip to Syria; decried in public, but crucially helpful in private.

Accept any bets !!!!!!!!! He will never came back !

May you have the same honor as your distinguished Bashir. Leave Israel to true human beings and join up with those paragons of truth, honesty and kindness. The descendents of pigs and monkies called Hezbollah

The Israelis discovered,finaly, that the water is wet...This "bishaRAT" is no more than dirty traitor...Do they use ropes in Israel?

to #14,Transfer is becoming more appealing. Its obvious that the Arabs within Israel,despite citizenship, privileges, political office, benefits etc are simply a future fifth column. I rarely see an issue of Haaretz that doesn't confirm this. Kuwait expelled all of their 450,000 Palestinians for being a fifth column when Iraq invaded. Why can't we get a clue?

The editors at Haaretz must conduct some self-examination into their journalistic integrity after allowing this type of article based on the allegations of unnamed "officials", "investigators", "police", etc. As an example of journalistic laziness or incompetence, why wasn't the woman in East Jerusalem who supposedly received the money interviewed and her explanation or statement published? In Israel where the acts and statements of the police and the intelligence service are always politically motivated, such follup is essential to try to determine the truth. To do otherwise, Haaretz allows itself to be part of the government propaganda apparatus.

Bishara may have been "framed" but by whom and for what purpose? Naturally like some "Spy" on Television he is trying to vindicate himself through interviews with foreign journalists. Naturally no have brained government is going to disclose what type or indeed how he came upon information that could lead to such serious charges of treason. It is bad enough that the country is in turmoil over the Winograd report. If Bishara values his Israeli citizenship and has nothing to hide he should return to fight the allegations. However his determination to stay away just plays into the so called "plot" to discredit him by confirming his guilt. It is a known fact that Hizballah did have information regarding Israeli communications which gave it an upper hand in the war. If Bishara did provide information that turned the tide in any way shape or form in Hizballahs favour, or cost one Israeli life he should be tried and pay a serious penalty

Allthough your name translates to "Give", it doesn't mean that you have a right to tell Israel what to give up. Israel did give up Gaza, look at the mess that's resulted. Kassam's rain down on Israel on a virtual daily basis.

Eli...they behead people in Saudi, but they dont have extrajudicial targeted assassinations like in Israel! So, yes Bishara and any normal human being will feel safer and freer in Saudi, UAE or Lebanon than in Israel.

Rami - Sharon supported the construction of the mosque but to be fair it was Yasser Arafat who helped the Palestinian Christians in Nazareth and supported them 100%. This shows that Palestinian Christians (either in Israel or PA) are 100% Palestinian. And the number of Christians living in Palestine under the Israeli occupation decreased a lot! inc hunderds of thousands who are refugees! Israel is not allowing those Chrisitians to return to their homes (inc the 2 demolisehd villages of Ikret and Birem) - nowhere else in the middle east do Christians have their villages demolished and persecuted like in racist Israel.

"MK Majaleh is more loyal to Israel that liberman or the setlers, they are the ones you need to warry about." I can't help but have serious doubts about that statement. Furthermore, I suspect most Israelis harbor the same doubts as me about Arab MK's.

As a christian in Israel, I consider myself very badly treated and under constant persecution from the Israeli authorities. Christians have prospered in Bethlehem but since the Israeli occupation the number of Christians more than halved. The Christians returned to Bethlehem after the PA took over but left again after the second Israeli occupation in 2000. Chritians in Israel are Palestinian Arabs and like our leader Azmi Bishara, George Habash (who is Palesitnian Christian) and others support fully our Muslim Palestinian counterparts.

Other papers are reporting the case in a more more thoroughly. Apparently there are wiretaps of conversations, cash and other paper trails. Very difficult to negate wiretaps. I say let him go to spend his life in the emirates or the cesspools of Saudi Arabia or Beirut. Of course he will need the money for bodyguards. They tend to behead people over there for suspicion.

As the article makes clear, there is enough hard evidence to support a bill of particulars and to initiate a trial. Israel remains the only country in the Middle East with a truly free press and a judicial system worthy of the name. Mr. Bishara can thank his lucky stars that he does not face the Palestinian judicial apparatus, or the variuos penal systems instituted his bretheren. The Press is simply using language appropriate to describe allegations which have not been proved to the satisfaction of evidentiary standards, in open court. Re-check your history, JustME. The Dreyfus affair is to be harshly contrasted, rather than likened, to this affair.

they are very good at spreading death and destruction, sure, let them go for it. The world already knows what a terror state they are.

it is not a coincidence that this accusation and the winograd are occuring at the same time? the Govt wants to lay the blame for defeat on someone else's door.............

Wow that is pretty ignorant stuff. Did Pollard openly call for the destruction of the country he was living in? Did Pollard serve in the government of the very same country he was trying to destroy? Did Pollard give enemies of his country information on how to destroy it? Not a single one of these is true of Pollard but they are all true of Bishara. The guy was a modern-day traitor. Hopefully justice will catch up with him soon.

Actually, I think this is a good middle step, but 54 takes it too far one way, in that only previously designated land is considered, and 56 takes it too far the other way, in that only the presence of any of a certain people are considered (kind of like the one drop of blood designation). Where genuine population centers are contiguous with one state or the other, both sides should trade land so that the populations there will feel part of the country they end up in. People living in non-contiguous lands should be given the option of being a citizen in the country of their choice, but subject to the laws of the county they are in. People coming to live in the area, who are descendants of people who once lived there, should be subject to the immigration laws of the place they choose. I suspect that it will be more difficult for certain minorities to get into one country than the other, and I know where I'd put my money for the side that is most restrictive.

MK Majaleh is more loyal to Israel that liberman or the setlers, they are the ones you need to warry about.

This article is full of 'allegedly','suspected', 'seemed'...Are there any real full facts topped with indisputable evidence, or are we supposed to take the words of Shin Bet for it?

I do not know about the Israel as a whole but in Haifa 2 cm cross is fine. I have seen even bigger once being worn there.

mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz mofaz please you should take the power now! what are you waiting ?????it 's time now

The Jewish state on its creation has ethnically cleansed most Palestinian Christians as well as Palestinian Moslems from their homeland. Christians were never treated better than Moslems by the Jewish state, and we are talking here about a bad treatement for both. I don't understand Rami, but I believe that todays most Palestian Moslems young generation who have been mainly converted to fanatics by the Israeli "no hope" policy and actions are underestimating the Palestinan Christian value, role and place in their society. It is like getting rid of the salt of the earth. The Judaisation of Jerusalem old city has already claimed three big Christian locations to be settled by Jews, and they are still doing more through the collaborating Greek Orthodox Partriach, and if things continue in the same direction, I doubt there will be many Christians left in the Holy land.

Upper Nazareth is over 80% Jewish. Are you suggesting that Israel should give Upper Nazareth to the Palestinians just because Bishara lives (or lived) there?

From reading the story I see no reason for having a gag order, unless they were "cooking the books"!!

Israel should give up Muthalath "Triangle", Nazareth and all parts of Galleli plus Lod and Ramlah not to forget Jaffa that were allocated for the Palestinians in the 181 UN resolution, or accept to be a binational state. By taking option one, Israel doesn't only secure its Jewish Character, but also could solve the Palestinian refugees problem, who mostly came from these areas. This is the only way to achieve a permenant fair and just peace that could last. Nevertheless, the binational choice could also psychologically work for both Jews and Palestinains,

Once again, the vultures have descended. Not ONE shred of evidence has been presented against MK Bishara -- and believe you me, had such evidence existed Shabak/Mossad would have undoubtedly publicized it. Innuendo and smoke --nothing more. Ask yourselves the following? 1) Did Azmi Bishara start this war? 2) If, as I hope, you answered no, question who benefits from the diversion created by the all-too-convenient timing of these revelations? I pity all the Israelis -- Jews, Muslims, and/or Christians -- swayed by these criminal allegations intended, as they are, to do nothing more than divide good, peace-seeking people.

1. Though the number of Arab Christian Israelis decreases due to emigration and low birth rate, the total number of Christians increases due to immigrants with partial Jewish heritage (esp. ex-USSR). 2. It was Netanyahu that caved in to Islamic Movement pressure to build 'Shihab ed Din Mosque' next to the Basilica. Sharon and Sharansky were the ones who ordered the mosque's construction to end and ensured that the structure was demolished. 3. Solel Boneh won the building contract by international bidding from the Franciscans, not local Israeli directive. I did mention that local Christians were involved in the actual church construction. 4. Vatican and Israel have a complex developing relationship, but Israel has long ties to the Christian world. E.g. in 1946 the elected Jewish Agency and the Maronite (Catholic) Patriarch concluded a treaty in which Maronites recognized Jews right to statehood in Eretz Israel, and Jews affirmed the independent, Christian character of Lebanon.

When the negotiations eventually get under way. Israel should give up territories like the Mishulash. Who cares if it was on the Israeli side of the 1948 ceasefire? I am sure the supporters of Bishara will be much happier when they have through off the yoke of the Zionists.

Whatever Bishara did it is evident that our current government caused to Israel MUCH more damage than Bishara. Actually ALL ministers who voted for the war should be indicted and prosecuted for criminal negligence causing wrongful death of dozens of Israelis and hundreds of Lebanese.

First of all, let me just say I have always believed that Israel should further the cause and interests of struggling ethnic/religious minorities in the Middle East, especially Christians, Druze, and Kurds. I have also believed that to a certain extent, the native Christians in Israel represent a 'missing link' between the Jewish people and the early Christian church, which was comprised of Jewish Christians (e.g. the 'synagogue church' in Nazareth). In my mind, the local Christians would have made natural allies, but this has not been the case A. because of Israeli society's distant approach to Christianity and Christians in general and B. Many Arab Christians have taken up the cause of pan-Arab nationalism (witness Bishara, Ashrawi, Hawatmeh, Habash, Elias Murr, etc.)which fundamentally rejects Israel. But let me address some points you raised: (cont'd)

Yimach shmo!

It looks like the accusations are not based on solid facts. Bishara had no access to Israeli Intelligence information. The Information that he is accused of supplying to Hizbullah looks like a commen knowledge, and nothing classified. Why would Hizbullah pay 100 of thousands of Dollars to Bishara for Freely accessible information. I could conclude that the whole affair is a blackmail made up story to get rid of a courageous voice in the Kineset.

sitting in on the most sensitive meetings involving national security issues. Doe anyone in government recognize this crisis or are they all too busy holding onto their "seats" in the Knesset to care. We are all doomed if elections are not held immediately.

Or puts him in a body bag, either way will work.

Whatever you say. Suffice it to say that in Islamic law, which is incorporated into most Arab law as well, new churches are not even allowed to be built. There are probably more Christians who arrived in Israel under the "Law of Return" than there are Christian Arab Israelis. Go to the Orthodox Church of Nazareth on Easter Sunday; it is a chock-a-block full of Russians. As for the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, I'm really not sure what you are trying to insinuate. All I know is that it is a pro-Israeli instituation flying the Israeli flag in the heart of Jerusalem. People who are against Israel is probably why the "gate is covered with tar" (??), because in general there are probably more churches in Jerusalem than in any city on earth.

Rami, not only Christians, but also all Jewish Israelis have relatives that moved out of Israel for better economic opportunities. However, I think the census shows the total number of Christians in Israel is not decreasing, unlike the PA, Lebanon and Egypt.

The only reason Solel Boneh had the contract is because Israel would not have it any other way, not because they love the christinas so much!!! Even though Israel had no diplomatic relations with the Vatican it was the christian world who created and still supporting israel. Anyhow, Most of the actual construction of our Basilica was done by christians specially volunteers from the Latin christians of Nazareth including my granda and dad and uncles. Note mentioning, It was the Israeli government of Arik Sharon who only few years back allowed extreem elements of the Islamic movement to barakade themselves in a lot adjacent to the Basilica and claim it as a muslim holy place and allowed them to build a terrorism mosque in the shadow of one of our holiest places. Peace.....

Again, no one tells it better than you. After all, we can ask the 10,000 or so Palestinians in Israeli jails how fair their trials were. Oh, I forgot, that most of them are not even allowed to see their familes, so, a fair trial open to the world is not really a something that happens in Israel..is it Ben!? God you bore me!

Surely there's some mistake. This has NEVER happened before.

As a christian living in Israel, I do not think that the Israeli governemnt is specifically targeting christians. We are discriminated against in every walk of life just like muslims but we have freedom of religion. Muslims extremists in Israeli are a bigger threat to us that the Israeli government. To peter, our number a dramatically diclining in israel, nowaday you are hardly pressed to find a christian family in Israel that does not have family memebers living abroad. We are mainly leaving the country because we are discriminated against when it comes to jobs and opportunites and with our education and skill we can find better jobs and prosperity abroad which the israeli government prevents us from having in our homeland.

Wissam let me tell you something, one must be ready for war and ready for peace and remember the founder of the shiite sect Imam Ali who said it best, i rather have a smart enemy for a friend instead of an ignorant friend. so number one ease up a little and two i bet you are enjoying the correspondence to haaretz, in other word the democracy in isreal,where you can criticize and live to see the sun the next day.I as a shiite do support peace and want to go back to my village on the border in lebanon.You and others must not confescate this god giving right.

How does Solel Boneh's election as an enterprise in the international bid account for Israel being pro-Christian? That they, being Israel-based company with the highest insurances, could provide the most economic scheme of realization? Do you have a slight idea how things work in the building business? I do occasionally analysis of bids here & in Israel. Trust me, the enterprises will build a satanist worship center if the client is legal and is financially covered. To pose the Basilica case as one of Israeli contribution is just as false as to claim that Arabs have built most of Israel on account that total majority of the construction workers and many contractors since the beginning of XX c. were Arabs. The last really joint enterprise in Israel perhaps was Mamilla commercial center started in 1922. For overall Israeli acceptance of Christians try to get around in Israeli society with a 2cm-big cross on your neck. Or go and see Christian Embassy's gate in J-m covered with tar.

In defiance of the old chestnut "you can't make chicken salad from chicken sh*t" these unnamed "officials" make these wild accusations in the hope that something will stick. While it isn't clear as to what political motivations are behind this witch hunt, you may be certain to assume that those political motivations exist.

we had enough balls to get eichman from argentina and then judge him, it's time to go and kidnapp this guy, which by the way is an Israeli Citizen, wherever he is and bring him to trial here in Israel, Olmert show us you got what it takes!

I doubt that Bishara had any significant info that Hizbulla counld not get from the Israeli media, google or any 13 y/o. Still I do not think tht Mr. Bishara should have been in touch with any such organization as Hizbulla, which is not only a threat to Israeli, but to Christinas and sunni muslims as well. I believe bishara betrayed his voters and did not look after their best interest. I'm glad he resigned, hope he stands trial and put in jail if found guilty.

According to the article ?Bishara allegedly provided "information, suggestions and recommendations," including censored material?. BUT ?Bishara had not been privy to classified material, and from the press briefing, it seemed that the information he passed to Hezbollah could have been obtained from open media sources in Israel?. AND ?The Shin Bet official said that Bishara was fully aware of the sensitivity of the information?. What, the sensitivity of public info available in the media? Is one supposed to take this stuff seriously?

Well, Bishara was a Member of Knesset and a prime ministerial candidate in Israel who swore an oath of allegiance to the State. Besides, Pollard helped Israel by giving it classified info on its Arab enemies' military capability that America was supposed to divulge. Bishara is accused of helping Hizbullah against Israel. Not the same thing at all! Anyhow, you are right, Bishara should walk, in Cairo or Damascus. Not in Israel.

Even if Bishara had no access to classified information, the mere fact that he consulted with and provided advice to an enemy organization at war with Israel (which, by the way, is home to over 1 million Arabs, many of whom live in cities that were under attack like Haifa), is a clearly indictable offense for treason. There is simply no excuse for it and any attempt at justifying or excusing this man's actions is simply laughable and deplorable.

A better description would be an Arab-Nationalist Baathist Aflaqist pan-Syrianist Palestinian Arab of Christian descent who happens to be a citizen of the State of Israel. So what if he is a Christian "on paper"? He is also an Israeli on paper, who once ran for Prime Minister of Israel and sat in the Knesset of Israel for umpteen years, having sworn an oath of allegiance to the State. Let's face it. Bishara did what he did for all these years because he knew he could get away with it. After all, he knows he is not in Syria or PA.

the largest church in the Middle East, and one of the most important churches in all Christendom? Answer: The Israeli government-owned building firm Solel Boneh, which won the contract under international bidding and carried out the project throughout the 60's at time when the Vatican didn't even have diplomatic ties with Israel. The project was financed by the Franciscans. Solel Boneh quarried the stone from special sites in Israel, and hired Jewish, Arab, and Christian laborers, giving each the day off on their respective day off. The Franciscan website mentions Solel Boneh. http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/san/TSnznew.html http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/san/TSnzz05.html http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/pope/10GPen/12/12GPsh03.html http://www.israelinphotos.com/tour-nazarethbasilica.htm

THE BELEAGUERED CHRISTIANS OF THE PALESTINIAN-CONTROLLED AREAS David Raab A Second-Class People / Regional Repression of Christians / Official PA Domination of Christians / PA Disrespect for Christian Holy Sites / The PA Takeover of the Church of the Nativity / The PA and Jerusalem Christians / Reduction of Christian Political Power / Harassment of Palestinian Christians by Palestinian Muslims / The Palestinian Christian Response The Christian community in the areas administered by the Palestinian Authority (PA) is a small but symbolically important one. About 35,000 Christians live in the West Bank and 3,000 in Gaza,1 representing about 1.3 percent of Palestinians. In addition, 12,500 Christians reside in eastern Jerusalem. This population is rapidly dwindling, however, and not solely as a result of the difficult military and economic situation of the past two years. Rather, there are numerous indications that the Christian population is beleaguered due to its Christianity. Taken in context of the condition of Christians in other Middle Eastern countries, this picture is especially credible and troubling. A Second-Class People Under Islam, Christians are considered dhimmi, a tolerated but second class who are afforded protection by Islam. Dhimmitude is integral to Islam; it is a "protection pact" that suspends "the [Muslim] conqueror's initial right to kill or enslave [Jews and Christians], provided they submitted themselves to pay tribute."2 However, the reality of Christianity under Islam has often been difficult. "Over the centuries, political Islam has not been too kind to the native Christian communities living under its rule. Anecdotes of tolerance aside, the systematic treatment of Christians...is abusive and discriminatory by any standard....Under Islam, the targeted dhimmi community and each individual in it are made to live in a state of perpetual humiliation in the eyes of the ruling community."3 As described by a Christian Lebanese president, Bashir Gemayil: "a Christian...is not a full citizen and cannot exercise political rights in any of the countries which were once conquered byIslam."4 Palestinian Christians have suffered as dhimmis for centuries. An English traveler in the Holy Land in 1816, for example, remarked that Christians were not permitted to ride on horseback without express permission from the Muslim Pasha.5

He treasonously met with enemy Arabs, which is forbidden by law. He only has to return for an investigation that would be widely publicized. If there's no guilt attached to his actions he would be able to depart for friendlier parts. Neither you or I can assume that Hezbollah could have obtained state secrets from the media, that would have entailed espionage or betrayal by someone in a position to obtain them.

So Hezbollah may have its own Jonthan Pollard in Israel. OK, where are the cries from Israel about traitors paying the price for their treason? If Pollard shoud walk, so should Bishara. If Bishara must pay the price, so must Pollard. Or are we going to hear more Zionist double standards? Israel does it, good; anyone does it, bad.

they should be arrested and possibly receive the death penalty...

You may try the following link for more info on the status of Christians in Palestine...http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=14002

So i guess Mr. Hassan Nasrallah was truthful again when he mentioned that important strategic targets were hit in "Israel" including army targets. But of course "Israel" has to explain this somehow, and whats better than sticking it to Bshara, they need a bate. Anyways, i am glad this is happening for 2 reasons: One: Bshara should not be in "israel", he is too good to take all this crap. Two: Hezbollah still managed to keep its informants in their places safe and sound supplying info on time for the next round.

Nonsense Lars, What other attack on Christians are you referring to? Where is there an indication that Bishara was being investigated because of his faith? Given Bishara's anti-Zionist Arab Nationalist, neo-Ba'athist ideaology, why is it so improbable that he may have seriously spied for Hizbullah? Given that Israel has let him espouse his views openly for years and continues to let other Balad MKs do so, where do you see a crackdown on Christian Israelis? I can't prove that these are not trumped up charges but it is more likely that the investigation against Bishara is because of actions supporting an enemy state than anti-Christian persecution. Incidentilly, the establishment that is investigating him is hardly right-wing.

If the charges are true (and that's a very big if) then I don't agree with what Bishara did. But this sentence is astounding: "Bishara had not been privy to classified material, and from the press briefing, it seemed that the information he passed to Hezbollah could have been obtained from open media sources in Israel." So... let's see if I understand this. Bishara is under criminal investigation, possibly even facing the DEATH PENALTY, for discussing stuff that Hezbollah could read on any newspaper website?!?! That's simply incredible. If Israel goes through with this prosecution then I don't ever again want to hear any Israeli talk about "the only democracy in the Middle East" and how savage and backwards the Arabs are. Imprisoning and executing people for repeating public information is the exclusive reserve of the worst sort of tyrants.

All he has to do is come out of hiding, return for a trial that will be in full view of the world. You seem to ignore the fact that he was a member of the Knesset and had privileges that were beyond those that most Israeli's enjoy. IF it can be PROVEN that he's abused his position and been a traitor in the process he merits the penalties mandated by law. Evidently you're misinformed, the Christian Arabs are suffering at the hands of their Muslim Arab brothers. Witness the expulsion of Christian Arabs from Bethlehem by the Muslim brothers. If you wish, I'll gladly send you links regarding their status. Just ask!!

Yes, Clickfool, we Americans are afraid of our own shadows: we have yet to adopt the Britons' lackidasical indifference to the domestic terrorists in our midst... Perhaps a piece in today's Telegraph might pique your interest in the danger that sometimes lurks in the shadows on Albion's shores...? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2007/05/02/do0203.xml

or blood libel????

I hope they are also being investigated.

People who say that Israel is anti-Christian is 100% off base. These false cries of Israeli bias is the equivalent of Israel's opponents swinging at a piniata while blindfolded. anyone who a) knowns anything about Israel, b) has been to Israel and see cities like Jerusalem, c) knows about USA's pro-Israel Christian right who are influential both politically and financially, would know that Bishara is not being persecuted based on religion. He also is innocent until proven guilty. so far, the news looks really bad for him. he also isn't making matters worse by running away from his accusations. Its a shame that Arabs are playing the religious card and not willing to see what unfolds during the investigation.

The accusation of aiding the Hizbollah is an honour to us. Hizbollah is not our enemy and there is no reason for us to be loyal to the Jewish state. Dr. Bishara we support you and love you

The gag order was finally lifted and what became public knowledge looks inconceivable as the details given do not convey an acceptable description of the various crimes. Bishara is suspected of a capital crime plus criminal offenses as per media report namely treason and espionage during actual war time in the 2nd Lebanese war and undeclared large sum monetary deals via Jordan. The information / explanation released by the police and security organs that owing to Bishara?s Knesset membership immunity he could not have been hindered to leave the country. - He was interrogated on the 22nd of March as well as one day later (23.3.2007) and told the interrogators that he is going abroad for a few days to return afterwards! Any person under such of treason and espionage would be detained on the spot in order to prevent continuation of this capital crime which are punishable with a life long and/ or death sentences during war time. - The explanation his parliamentary immunity prevented the police from stopping his leaving the country, sounds very strange specially nobody can pass any border station without any official travel document. In his case the most probably issued Israel Service Passport ( issued to Knesset members) could have been confiscated on the spot. Furthermore in view of the suspected capital crime. Legal steps of continuation/ prevention of the suspected acts should have be sufficient to stop him at least temporarily, until an Attorney General?s ruling/ order / clarification could have been obtained.

The flag country which will be prepared to give him asylum !!!

They will ask for some Ayatola to find an obscure Surha in the Quran ! So they will be able to issue a Death Penality Fatwa against him !!!

The only country in the Middle East where the Christian population is not decreasing is Israel. Why are Christians fleeing Egypt and Lebanon in droves, but not Israel?

They had done a wonderfull job in Lebanon !! Can you imagine the logistic to undertake Hariri operation ? or They might also send him to a prison in Egypt, he ll be facing a quite intersting new experiencies together with egipcian guards or Well, they can request help from either Saudi Arabia or Iran courts: Both can finish the job in less then a week WHICH ONE DO YOU PREFER "BENNY" ?

Israel could not face the intellectual challenges that Bishara posed, so they tailored security charges against him.

Fancy an Arab minister doing that, another Mossad set up!! You Israeli's are becoming more like American's every day...."scared of your own shadow"

The man is a low life scum bag. Stop protecting him, and let's face it he was also a rude and bad tempered MK.

Or just let him be?

What about the same treatment for Jews like Uri Avneri and his type that gave and give continuous support for terrorists?

The threat of execution is of course not to give him a chance to defend himself. The High Court should look into the matter after he has been tried in absenta if the prosecution dares to take their case to court. It sound as if just another attack on christians that speaks out against the heavy handeness of the Israeli Gov towards the occupied Palestinians. He was always a thorn in the side of the Israeli Jewish Extreme Right.

Unreal, they had the goods on him and let him go to egypt because of diplomatic immunity. This is outright treason and after he is gone for a month olmert's ag orders him back. When you vote for the left (Labor/Kadima) you are committing suicide for your country.