| Submit your comments on this article |
| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Arab-Israeli gets 9 years in prison for spying |
| 2011-01-31 |
| [Arab News] An Israeli court on Sunday sentenced an Arab-Israeli activist who confessed to spying for Leb's Hezbullies snuffies to nine years in prison. Amir Makhoul pleaded guilty in October to contacting a foreign agent, conspiring to aid an enemy in time of war and espionage. The top charge -- of aiding an enemy -- was dropped when Makhoul agreed to the plea bargain of between seven to 10 years. He faced a potentially much longer sentence had his case gone to trial. Court documents said Makhoul used encryption software to send Hezbullies information about Israeli military facilities and defense capabilities. Hezbullies operatives also asked Makhoul to locate the residence of the head of Israel's internal security service, the Shin Bet, according to the documents. Shin Bet officials said Makhoul also passed along information about Israelis believed to be vulnerable to recruitment by Hezbullies. Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbullies are bitter enemies. Hezbullies formed in the early 1980s to fight Israeli troops who invaded and occupied southern Leb from 1982 to 2000. The two foes also fought a monthlong war in 2006. The case against Makhoul, a prominent pro-Paleostinian activist whose brother served in Israel's Parliament, has strained relations between Israel and its Arab minority. Arabs make up about 20 percent of Israel's 7.5 million citizens. They enjoy full rights but complain of decades of discrimination. In recent years, many have become radicalized and increasingly critical of Israeli policies against Paleostinians. "It is a difficult day today for all of us because Amir was one of the key people among the Paleostinians inside the Green Line, with a very strong voice against (Israeli) state violence against Paleostinians," said his attorney, Hussein Abu Hussein. Abu Hussein said that Makhoul agreed to a plea bargain because when Paleostinians face security-related charges in Israeli courts, the chances for a fair trial are "nonexistent." He said Makhoul was vulnerable to prosecutors after being held in jail without access to counsel, doctors or his family. Makhoul claimed he fell into a "trap," and that he was being prosecuted as a political reaction to his work exposing human rights ... which are not the same thing as individual rights, mind you... violations by Israel. In recent years, several Israeli Arabs have been jugged for spying for Hezbullies, a fierce enemy of Israel suspected of involvement in bloody attacks against Jews outside the region as well. In another high-profile case, politician Azmi Bishara decamped the country four years ago to avoid facing similar espionage charges. Living in exile, he has since become a frequent participant in Arabic TV panels, heaping scorn and criticism on Israel and its policies toward Paleostinians. |
| Posted by:Fred |