News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) An Arab money changer in eastern Jerusalem admitted Wednesday to paying former Israeli Knesset Member Azmi Bishara $390,000 for information on behalf of Hizbullah during the Second Lebanon War.  As part of a plea bargain, Firas Asilah, a business owner in northeastern Jerusalem's Beit Hanina neighborhood, is being charged with money laundering.

The money was transferred from an undisclosed Muslim country, via Jordan.  Despite his perpetual denial of receiving funds other than his Israeli government salary, Bishara fled from Israel following the war in order not to be tried for treason.

Investigators state that Bishara's contacts say Bishara recommended Hizbullah attack Haifa, and use long-range rocket attacks as a tactic against Israel. Bishara is also thought to have recommended other strategic locations for terrorists targets inside Israel.