(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*A number of rockets struck southern Israel on Thursday evening and nighttime hours. No injuries were reported.

*Israeli Arab driver was shot and seriously wounded by a guard at girl’s school in Shomron community of Dolev Thursday.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*PM Olmert to be questioned by police for a second time on Friday morning.

*Over 200,000 made their way to Kever Rashbi in Meron on Thursday evening and night.

*The dismissal of Rav Druckman by the Prime Minister’s Office has resulted in a political stir. Many giyurim are concerned regarding their future status, as well as the status of their children.

*At least 5 injured, one seriously, in a blaze in an apartment building on Aliyah Shniyah Street in Petach Tikvah. An explosion was heard before the blaze. Police say it was not a bomb. The investigation continues.

*PMO’s release statement that Damascus, not Jerusalem, initiated current negotiating process.

*Talks underway to prevent closure of a number of Mechinot yeshivas due to significant budgetary cuts.

*Heavy traffic and congestion reported in Har Meron area due to Lag B’Omer festivities.