SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Widespread attacks reported during the afternoon hours in Shomron against Israeli motorists, including a firebomb attack near Yitzhar and rock-throwing attacks near Beit El, Hizme, and north of Eli.

*Two Kassam rockets landed in Sderot late Monday afternoon. No injuries or damage reported.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit announced that beginning next week; Israelis traveling to Russia will no longer require a visa.

*In response to the Shabbos morning knife attack in Yishuv Yitzhar in Shomron, youths on Sunday afternoon began efforts to establish a new community between the yishuv and Asira al-Kabaliya, the village from which the residents believe the attacker came from on Shabbos.

*Arabs on Sunday afternoon accused “settlers” from the Itamar area in Shomron of setting fire to olive trees belonging to Arab farmers.

*El Al announces it will be adding 30 flights to accommodate holiday travelers.

*Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz announced at a Sunday press conference that he plans to take the Kadima leadership race in the first round. He added he plans to establish a broad-based government.

*Minister Chaim Ramon plans to present Evacuation/Compensation Bill before the cabinet in a number of weeks, announcing on Sunday that not everything east of the fence will be under Israeli control.

*During a meeting in Jordan with King Abdullah II, the monarch told EU Foreign Minister Javier Solana that the European Union must play a pivotal role in Mideast peace efforts.

*PM Olmert told his cabinet on Sunday that the concept of a Greater Land of Israel no longer exists.

*MDA: In the past 24 hours, 119 people were injured in 138 motor vehicle accidents nationwide.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)