Posted on 04/03/2008 7:09:08 PM PDT by forkinsocket
Arab Knesset Member Ahmed Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) landed in Beirut Wednesday night despite an official travel ban on government representatives from visiting 'enemy states.' He had just wrapped up a visit to Yemen.
This is not the first time Tibi has spent time in Lebanon. He was criticized during the Second Lebanon War for travelling to Beirut despite Hizbullah attacks being launched at Israel from Lebanese soil.
The story mirrors that of of Former Knesset Member Azmi Bishara. He resigned his position last year after an investigation into his repeated trips to Syria and Lebanon found that he had passed on sensitive intelligence to Hizbullah. Bishara allegedly told the terrorist group which targets in Israel would be worthwhile to hit. He also said the actions of Hizbullah had raised the hearts of the Arab people. Bishara fled the country just after authorities announced the results of their investigation, and has not returned since.
Tibi defended his previous trip to Lebanon last year while a bill to ban travel to 'enemy states' during times of war was being read before the Knesset. 'If I am invited [to an enemy state], I'll go despite the law. I am sure that a person who violates a law that is unjust - or whose conscience is completely clear and is willing to pay the price and be imprisoned in order to raise public awareness regarding injustice - is truly showing his respect for the highest values,' Tibi argued.
Tibi garnered attention recently after attending the funeral of PFLP leader George Habash in Amman. Habash was known for the violent attacks he plotted against Israelis and Jews.
The Israeli government shouldn’t let him back into Israel. However, with Olmerde running the show, he’ll probably meet him at the airport with a bouquet and a government limo to take the SOB wherever he wants.
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