At least ten drivers took part in a morning road block protest on the Ayalon Highway in protest of the sharp increase in gasoline prices.

** Former Shas Minister Rabbi Shlomo Benizri was released from Matityahu Prison ahead of scheduled due to overcrowded conditions. Also released was former police officer Shachar Mizrachi, who served a prison term for shooting and killing an Arab car thief.

** PA sources report IDF soldiers during the night arrested senior Islamic Jihad terrorist Mahmud Mardawi from village of Araba.

** PM Netanyahu buckled under the pressure and agreed to lower gasoline tax by 10 agorot a liter, bringing the price to 7.74 NIS a liter for self service, the equivalent of $8.36/US gallon.

** In response to a Peace Now petition, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein has called for an investigation into alleged illegal construction in Yishuv Shilo.

** 26-year ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) veteran Eitan Ben-David has been appointed the next head of the state Counterterrorism Bureau.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)