SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*20:08:  A Kassam rocket fell in the western Negev area. There are no reports of injuries or damage.

*An Arab carrying a 12 knife was arrested at a Bet Lechem area checkpoint. He admitted to soldiers he planned a stabbing attack.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Land of Israel Faithful followers on Wednesday held a march near Kissufim Crossing to Gaza marking three years since the expulsion from Gush Katif.

*DM Ehud Barak ordered the destruction of the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva terrorist.

*A 10-year-old girl was reported in moderate condition after being bitten by a snake. She was transported to Ziff Hospital in Tzfat.

*Police prevented right-wing activists from entering the Shuafat refugee camp in the Jerusalem district. They explained they are heading to an area of Jewish land but nevertheless were prohibited from entering.

*An envelope containing white powder sent on Wednesday to Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was found to be benign, not a harmful substance.

*Israel Government Press Office head Daniel Seaman announced sanctions to be placed on al-Jazeera after their Beirut office held a party for Samir Kuntar.

*The Lt.-colonel who ordered a soldier to fire at a tied Arab prisoner has stepped down from his post. On Thursday, the military prosecutor will decide if charges will be filed against the officer.

*Mosquitoes infected with west nile virus were detected in Kibbutz Yutvata in the south.

*The US dollar dropped 0.17% closing at 3.55 to the shekel.

*In his meeting with PM Olmert on Wednesday, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) called for the release of convicted terrorist Marwan Barghouti.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)