Azmi Beshara is persistent on his position after government investigations

The Israeli police on Thursday and for four hours interrogated the Palestinian parliament member in the Israeli Knesset Azmi Beshara over statements he made just five months ago in a massive celebration in Um al-Fahm in which he praised the Hizbullah party for resisting the Israeli occupation in South Lebanon.

During the investigation tens of Palestinian Israelis lined up in front of the Israeli police center in Tel Aviv and raised banners condemning the repression practiced against the Arab minority in Israel and chasing of its leaders.

In a statement quoted by the Israeli TV and Beshara made upon he had left the prison, he said: " I think the whole matter represents part of the Israeli chasing policy against the Arab representative, and this because of the government's political crisis in Israel."

On his being accused of describing the Hizbullah party resistance of " heroism" and " legitimacy," Beshara stressed " Yes I have said that Hizbullah is a heroic and legitimate resistance and that it had attained victory in the war with Israel." He added all what I have said " were facts materialized on the ground and I am ready to say it once again. And I reiterate my position once again."