An Israel Druze working in Cairo was seized by Egyptian police and charged with spying. The issue was raised by both the Israel embassy in Cairo and by Minister of Foreign Affairs Levy who met with President Mubarak and Foreign Minister Amr Moussa on 7 November. Mr. Levy was in Cairo also to attend the Cairo Economic summit. Israel denied vehemently any involvement with Azzam. Following is Minister of Foreign Affairs David Levys reply in the Knesset to Labor MK Hagai Meroms urgent motion on the subject.
Ladies and gentlemen, Members of the Knesset:
Azzam Azzam, a 33 year-old Israeli from the Druze village of Maghar, disappeared in Cairo on Wednesday, 6 November 1996. Azzam was one of four Israelis working at a textile factory in Cairo, a joint venture for the production of textiles, based on Israeli know-how and management. Azzam had been employed at the Egyptian plant for the past seven months as a machinist. Due to his work, he would go to Cairo once every two weeks. His brother Wafa is the work manager at the Egyptian plant.
Last Wednesday Azzam arrived at the hotel, accompanied by an Egyptian driver who works for the company. He got out of the car, and was then surrounded by eight Egyptian men. They asked him his name, requested his passport, and asked him to join them. The driver gave the information to the companys manager in Cairo, Samir Riad. According to the driver, the Egyptian group had communications devices. Azzam was put into a white Peugeot automobile, with a license plate characteristic of vehicles belonging to the Egyptian security forces. The information was relayed to the companys managers in Israel.
The first appeal to our embassy in Cairo arrived on Thursday evening, 7 November 1996. Azzams brother Wafa contacted Shouki Gabai, the consul in Cairo, who approached the security officials, with whom he is in constant contact. Our embassy in Cairo continued to deal with the matter on Friday, 8 November 1996. On Saturday, 9 November 1996, [Egyptian] security officials announced that they were not holding any Israeli detainee by this name. The moment that it became clear from the Egyptian security authorities that they were not holding any Israeli detainee by the name of Azzam Azzam, a letter was sent to the Israel Department and the Consular Department at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry; Minister Plenipotentiary Yaacov Gil requested an urgent meeting with the Egyptian Interior Minister.
During my visit to Cairo yesterday for the economic conference, I raised the issue immediately upon my arrival with senior Egyptian government officials who assured me that they would help in assuaging Israels concern for the fate of Azzam, and our demand for his immediate return. During the day that I was in Cairo, I dealt with this issue constantly. Later, Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa told me that indeed Azzam Azzam was being held by them for investigation. I told him unequivocally that Azzam was not and is not an agent for, and is not operating on behalf of, the State of Israel or its security services; that it would be desirable for the issue to be removed from the agenda quickly, lest it cause the impression that in Egypt, they are smearing an Israeli citizen; and Egypt bears responsibility for his life and health. Similarly, I said that the matter was especially serious and significant because it involves a person who dealt with economic cooperation between the two countries.
Furthermore, the Egyptians have chosen to smear him with a terrible accusation on the eve of the opening of the Cairo Economic Conference, and if their intention is to pass along some sort of message, then they are mistaken and are misleading others, because one does not play with people by pinning such libels on them.
Everything which is being said in the Egyptian media is a libel and is having a serious influence on relations between us. There is no basis to this accusation. Azzam is not connected, these are nonsensical statements. The Israeli government demands that the Egyptian government release him immediately. We will not rest until he is freed. This contradicts an Israeli citizens basic rights. Personally, I want to believe that the Egyptian government, President Mubarak and Foreign Minister Moussa, have no part in this drama, just to create drama. The necessary response from President Mubarak, therefore, is to release him immediately. Azzam Azzam is a dedicated citizen and father. I am using every direct and indirect means. I asked U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher to deal with the issue, and indeed, he appealed to the Egyptian authorities to release him forthwith.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Levy added that he would not have gone to the Cairo Conference if the things being attributed to Azzam Azzam were true.