(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Monday, day 20 of the virtual ceasefire.

*IDF soldiers involved in counter-terror operations in Yehuda and Shomron arrested 7 suspects during the night. The suspects were turned over to the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) for interrogation.

*Firebombs and a pipe bomb were hurled at IDF soldiers operating northeast of Shechem during the night. No injuries were reported.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*President Shimon Peres in an address to a college scholarship ceremony called for free college education for all students to permit everyone to attain a higher education and a chance to shun difficult social-economic realities. Free college education stated Mr. Peres would be a major step towards equality for all.

*Transportation Ministry licensing bureaus will remain closed on Monday as the strike continues with strike leaders vowing to step-up sanctions opposing privatization of a portion of the ministry’s responsibilities.

Once defunct Black Panther party announced it will return to compete on the election slate in the local Jerusalem elections to advance the rights of the underprivileged in the capital.

*Labor signaling that following Kadima elections, it will demand finance or justice portfolio.