Shalom, Azmi

President Clinton has once shattered Israeli hearts when he appeared on our screens to bid a last farewell to Itshak Rabin who had been assassinated a few hours before. With tears in his eyes, mr. Clinton said in Hebrew and English: Shalom, haver. Good-bye, friend.

Yesterday we learned that Israeli Arab MK Azmi Bishara is about to leave us too:

MK Azmi Bishara (Balad) requested political asylum in Qatar two weeks ago, the Nazareth-based daily Kul-Alarab reported on its Web site on Tuesday.

Recent reports stated that Bishara was planning to resign following "serious allegations" against him, the nature of which has not yet come to light.

Source

I would like to use this opportunity to bid my farewell to Azmi Bishara: Shalom, Azmi. Ma'asalama.