Arab Israeli official claims eavesdropping

JERUSALEM, May 11 (UPI) -- An Arab member of Israel's Knesset has petitioned the government to investigate reports the Shin Bet security agency is eavesdropping on Arab lawmakers.

Arab Knesset Member Talab A-Sana petitioned Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik to look into reports the security agency is secretly listening in on Arab lawmakers' phone calls, Haaretz reported Friday.

A-Sana said he received information this week that leads him to believe several Arab lawmakers' phones have been tapped. If true, the eavesdropping is "absolutely out of line," he said.

"Governments in trouble often begin to trample laws," he said. "This seems to be a case of political persecution."

He expressed fears the practice would lead to Arab Members of the Knesset being treated as Israeli Arabs were once treated by military police.