(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel / 10:20PM IL)

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Monday ends day 2 of the nationwide emergency preparedness drill. On Tuesday morning at 10am, sirens will sound in most areas of the country.

*A terrorist opened fire at soldiers near Netiv HaAsarah in southern Israel on Monday morning. No injuries. Soldiers returned fire, seriously wounding the terrorist.

*An eastern Jerusalem Arab resident disguising himself as a security official was arrested at Rantis Checkpoint in Shomron trying to bring 19 PA illegals across the Green Line. His vehicle was equipped with a siren, revolving light and other apparatus to give the appearance of a security vehicle.

*An Arab Shepard from Salim, in the Elon Moreh area of Shomron, was struck by a bus. Medical personnel responding to the scene were bombarded with rocks. Efforts to save the victim’s life were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

*An Israeli motorist was lightly injured when Arabs hurled stones at his vehicle, smashing the windshield. The attack occurred at the village of Salim in Shomron.

*A Qassam rocket fired into southern Israel on Monday evening landed in an open field. No injuries.

*Two border policemen were injured in rock-throwing attacks in the Shuafat urban slum referred to as a “refugee camp” in Jerusalem.

*National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer announced on Monday that Iran will not launch an attack against Israel since Tehran realizes such an act would lead to Iran’s destruction.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Sanctions continue in the nation’s Employment Services office, making it impossible for one to register for unemployment insurance and other benefits.

*Health Ministry officials on Monday morning instructed residents of Tiveria to boil water after sample testing found it non-potable.

*Gush Dan region Hatzolah members raised thousands of dollars for a Ganei Tikvah woman whose home burned down on Sunday. The funds will assist her in relocating temporarily and purchasing required items for Pesach.

*Land of Israel Faithful members announced that they plan to create disturbances during Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s visit to Chevron on Tuesday. They explain they cannot permit the prime minister to visit when he is responsible for handing weapons over to Israel’s enemies.

*Former President Moshe Katsav will not admit to the accusations leveled against him tomorrow, Tuesday, in the opening session of his trial in the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, his attorney announced. A request to postpone the first hearing for a second time was rejected by the court.

*Following meeting between PM Olmert and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), the two announced they remain committed to reaching an agreement by the end of 2008.

*MK (United Torah Judaism) Rabbi Avraham Ravitz called on Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik to convene a special Knesset session to amend the Chametz Law to ensure bread is not sold in the capital on Pesach. The Knesset is now on spring recess until mid-May.