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Talk to Al Jazeera

Azmi Bishara

The former Arab member of the Israeli Knesset talks about facing more charges.

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Azmi Bishara has been charged with not
acknowledging the Jewish character of Israel

Azmi Bishara is a former Arab member of the Israeli Knesset and the first Israeli-Arab to run for prime minister.

He calls for a fair and impartial state for all of Israel’s citizens and argues that it is unrealistic and prejudiced for Israel to be both Jewish and democratic. This, he insists, guarantees an in-built discrimination whereby Israeli-Arabs will always be viewed as a demographic problem.

His views have led to accusations that he is trying to destroy the Jewish character of Israel and he has faced three investigations by the Israeli police.

On the first occasion he was charged with not acknowledging the Jewish character of the state and on the second, with visiting enemy countries – Lebanon and Syria.

He is currently under investigation for the third time for, as yet, unpublished charges.

He talks to Al Jazeera about his career and his political views.

Watch this episode of Talk to Jazeera here:

Part 1:

Part 2:

This episode of Talk to Jazeera aired from 23 April 2007


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