SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Border police at the Ma’aras HaMachpelah arrested an Arab male found to be concealing a knife. No injuries.

*The IDF for a period of time on Monday closed Route 446, which spans from Shilat Jct. to Na’alin after reports of hearing gunfire. Shortly after noon, soldiers at a checkpoint reported hearing gunfire. Nothing significant was found in the search.

*More violence was reported on Monday at Na’alin as anti-security fence protests are continuing.

*Rock-throwing attacks against Jews reported in the Old City of Yerushalayim on Monday. No injuries were reported.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*PA sources report an 18-year-old who was seriously injured in his head by a rubber bullet during a violent protest in Na’alin last week has died of his wounds.

*A new bill will grant municipal inspectors’ peace officer status, permitting them to arrest people as do police if they determine a citizen is endangering the public. Authorities hope this will help address the shortage of police nationwide.

*The US dollar on Monday gained against the shekel trading at 3.543.

*Border police prevented some 30 mispallalim from entering Kever Rachel in Beit Lechem on Monday evening. Four members of the group were detained by police.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)