SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Several vehicles were damaged in Tuesday afternoon rock-throwing attacks near Rechalim in Shomron. No injuries were reported.

*Rock-throwing attacks on the Gush Etzion Road near el-Aroub on Tuesday afternoon. No injuries reported.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*The Land of Israel Forum is calling on Civil Service Commissioner Shmuel Hollander to suspend Shula Zaken, the former director-general of PM Olmert’s bureau.

*A man was stung by a scorpion and moderately injured in Elkana in Shomron on Tuesday.

*Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai released a statement on Tuesday that Rafiach Crossing between Gaza and Egypt will not be opened prior to the release of Gilad Shalit.

*PM Olmert and PA’s Abu Mazen are scheduled to meet again on Wednesday.

*The nation’s lifeguards and the Union of Local Authorities are negotiating until 13 August as per a labor court decision after which time the lifeguards may strike if an agreement has not been reached.

*Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi, chief rabbi of Kfar Chabad, left on motzei Shabbos, leading a delegation of Chabad shochtim and mashgichim traveling to Poland.

*Left-wingers protested outside the Zichron Yaakov home of an IDF battalion commander on Tuesday because his soldiers are operating in the Arab village of Na’alin. At least 20 of the violent protesters were arrested.

*Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz officially declares his candidacy for Kadima leadership, relying on his impressive security past to boost his candidacy. In his address, he stated he remains committed to a united Yerushalayim.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)