Man freed in exchange for students

EGYPT yesterday freed an Israeli Arab businessman convicted of spying in exchange for Israel’s release of six Egyptian students, a deal that signalled a warming of relations between the two countries.

As part of the deal, Israel may also release Palestinian prisoners in the future, prime minister Ariel Sharon said in a statement.

The businessman, Azzam Azzam, was convicted of espionage by an Egyptian court in 1997 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. At the time, he ran a textile factory in Egypt. The case against Mr Azzam was based, in part, on allegations that he had invisible ink in his possession. Israel has denied he was an agent.

Mr Azzam’s imprisonment has been a key point of friction between Israel and Egypt, whose ties remain cool despite their 1979 peace treaty.

After Mr Azzam’s release, Sharon called Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to thank him. The two leaders pledged to work closely together, according to a statement by Sharon’s office.

“The prime minister ... said he believes the two (leaders) can achieve great things for the coming generations” and Mr Mubarak agreed, the statement said.

Talking briefly to reporters this afternoon, Mr Sharon said that in the phone call, he “thanked Mubarak for his decision, and we spoke about strengthening ties and about widening co-operation between Egypt and Israel.”

As part of the swap, six Egyptian students were freed by Israel. The students sneaked into Israel in August and were arrested on suspicion they planned to kidnap Israeli soldiers and commandeer a tank.

Egyptian officials said the students could face charges at home of illegally crossing the border.

The swap took place at the Taba crossing between Israel and Egypt.

After Mr Azzam crossed into Israel in a van, he was taken to the nearby Red Sea resort of Eilat. After several hours, he boarded a small military aircraft in Eilat, waving and smiling before takeoff.

Asked whether he expected he would win early release, he said: “I always believed because I am an Israeli citizen. I believed, because the state of Israel takes care of its citizens.”

Mr Azzam, a member of the Druse religious sect, an offshoot of Islam, briefly spoke to Sharon and his wife Amal by phone from Eilat.

Mr Sharon told Mr Azzam he had worked hard for his release and that “the entire country is united in happiness over your return home.” Mr Azzam’s brother, Iftan, said the family only found out earlier yesterday he was to be released.

Mr Azzam was taken to a hotel in Tel Aviv for a security debriefing and medical check, Israeli media reported.

Family and friends gathered at his home in the northern Israeli village of Mughar, where a gala welcome was prepared for the evening hours. Relatives, some crying with joy, greeted each other in front of the house.