A-G Rejects Bid To Ban Arab Party after MKs Visit Syria 14:11 Nov 29, '06 / 8 Kislev 5767

(IsraelNN.com) Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and the Justice Ministry Wednesday rejected a demand to dissolve an Arab party whose MKs have visited Syria and Lebanon, which are classified by Israel as enemy states. Attorney Ofir Miller charged that the party, the National Democratic Assembly (NDA), aims "to denounce the State of Israel's existence." Knesset Members Azmi Basara, Wasil Taha and Jamal Zahalka recently visited Syria.

The law prevents citizens from visiting enemy countries, but the Justice Ministry stated "there is currently no room to determine that the [NDA] party's actions are against the law, as it is difficult to determine that visiting enemy states does not constitute a dominant and ongoing part of the party's activity."

Their actions do not support the claim that the party supports "the armed struggle of an enemy state or a terror organization against the State of Israel," according to Attorney General Mazuz.

A senior American government official said on Tuesday that Israel should not talk with Syria, which is defined by the United States as a country that supports terrorism.