Israeli politician suspect in aiding enemy

JERUSALEM, April 25 (UPI) -- A member of Israel's Knesset is suspected of passing state information to an agent acting for Lebanon during last summer's 34-day war.

Part of the months-long investigation is the source of large, but undisclosed sums of money Azmi Bishara allegedly received, YNetNews reported Wednesday.

Security agents questioned Bishara twice, and he told them he was going away for a few days. He left Israel three weeks ago and has been touring Arabic states since. While in Cairo, he submitted his resignation from the Knesset through the Israeli Embassy.

He told Arabic broadcaster al-Jazeera he wasn't trying to hide from Israeli authorities.

"Exile is not an option. I will definitely return, the question is only when," he said.

Bishara also claimed he was the victim of political persecution, accusing the Israeli Shin Bet security and media of waging a campaign to tarnish his image, the report said.