The Israeli Arab community is calling it a political witch hunt after the gag order has been lifted and a serious criminal indictment has been filed against Amir Makhoul, 52, a father of five, who allegedly worked with Hizbullah agents, facing charges of espionage and treason – cooperating with the enemy in a time of war.

Makhoul, who is known as a major political activist told reporters that he has done nothing wrong, and certainly nothing to compromise state security, admitting to being an ardent activist on behalf of the Israeli Arab community. He faces the more serious charges of the two suspects in custody.

Makhoul’s family is accusing the Shin Bet of “planting information in the computers”, insisting Amir is not a spy and would never work against the state. Nevertheless, the legal process is moving ahead against him as an indictment was handed down on Thursday in the Haifa District Court. Also indicted was Omar Sayid, 50, a resident of Kafr Kana and a known activist for the Balad political party. He was arrested about two weeks ago, and he heads an Israeli Arab NGO, ‘Ittijah’, the Union of Arab Community Based Associations, as well as being the brother of a former MK.

Based on Shin Bet findings, Makhoul was in contact with Hizbullah agents no less than ten times, passing information using a computer with an encryption system installed on his computer by a Hizbullah operative when they met in Denmark. The state alleges that he passed information including the location of two Shin Bet facilities and one Mossad facility, the security arrangements at those facilities, along with information pertaining to Rafael, a firm that works with the Defense Ministry on projects that include weapons systems.

The comprehensive investigation further alleges that he failed in efforts to provide information pertaining to the movements of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and their convoys.

He also allegedly provided Hizbullah with information during the Second Lebanon War regarding rocket impact locations in Haifa to assist terrorists in maximizing their strikes.

Family members report international human rights organizations have already contacted them, seeking ways to assist.

The state is asking that the suspect is held without bail. Justice Ron Shapira agreed that he will remain in custody at least until the next hearing, set for a month from now.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)