Former MK Azmi Bishara announced he has no intention of returning to Israel. His statement contradicts earlier reports from his fellow Balad party members, who said that he would return to Israel “when things calm down,” and earlier announcements he made, promising to return.

Bishara has been accused of aiding Hizbullah during the Second Lebanon War. Bishara has denied the allegations, saying that his talks with Hizbullah operatives were “normal, day-to-day discussions between Arabs.”