Nurses are stepping up their strike and most are leaving their posts in the nation’s hospitals during the morning hours as no progress is being reported in negotiations. They returned to their stations after the four-hour strike.

** Employees of the Pelephone Company are stepping up sanctions, which will likely lead to interruptions in that company’s cellular telephone service. NRG reports that company officials impounded company vehicles belonging to employees taking part in the strike.

** The security officer of the Shomron community of Maale Michmas escaped injuries or worse when an Arab tractor driver tried to run him over on Monday evening. The Arab driver was detained by police but released later in the evening.

** The district planning board on Monday approved the plan to refurbish the Tifferes Yisrael Shul in Jerusalem’s Old City. The plan was recently approved by the local planning board as well.

** A TNS Teleseker poll commissioned by Walla News shows the gap between left and right-wing bloc if elections were held today has narrowed. The right-wing receives 63 seats and left-wing 57.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)