(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel 7:45AM IL)

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*A number of rock-throwing attacks against buses were recorded on Wednesday afternoon. A bus was attacked traveling in Gush Etzion near el-Aroub. A number 227 bus was targeted on Highway 443 and a third rock-throwing attack occurred against a bus near Kiryat Arba. There were no injuries. There were reports of damage.

*An Arab found concealing a knife was taken into custody at an IDF checkpoint on Wednesday night in the Qalqilye area.

*An Israeli sustained light injuries from glass shards when his vehicle was attacked with rocks on the Hussan Bypass Road near the community of Betar on Wednesday night.

*A second victim of the rocket attack in Kibbutz Nir Oz on Wednesday morning was transported to Soroka Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.

*A border policeman was lightly injured by protestors throwing rocks at an anti-security barrier demonstration at Na’alin.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Tel Aviv Police Chief Ilan Franco stated a Wednesday afternoon car explosion on Yigal Alon Street, which claimed the life of one man is extremely serious. Police believe the incident was related to the underworld, a revenge attack. The victim is 53-year-old attorney Yoram Chacham. A gag order has been placed on the investigation.

*The European Union on Wednesday has signaled it does not appear it will be upgrading Israel’s status as requested anytime soon. The PA has been pressuring the EU to reject Yerushalayim’s request until such time it ceases “human rights violations” and ends the embargo and military attacks in Gaza.

*Senior Defense Ministry officials Amos Gilad heading to Cairo to resume talks towards a truce with Hamas.

*Ynet: Quoting PA sources, Israel is planning to grant amnesty to 32 members of the Fatah al-Aqsa Brigade.

*The rav of Yishuv Ofrah in Shomron is permitting non-Jewish construction workers to build in the community on Shabbos.

*Finance Minister calling for a NIS 30 million cut in defense spending to reduce national government debt.

*Students in a school in the Golan Heights community of Chispin wish to remove pictures of PM Olmert from the school due to the criminal investigations against him.

*Yassam and other police troops arrived at Ramat Migron in Chevron area on Wednesday AM and began confiscating equipment. A scuffle ensued and police arrested two girls who live in the outpost.

*The state filed an appeal with the Supreme Court seeking a harsher prison sentence for former Shas minister, Shlomo Benizri. He was sentenced to 18 months on a bribery conviction. The state is seeking a 7-year jail term.

*Israel has agreed to grant amnesty to 12 members of the Fatah al-Aqsa Brigade terror force.

*Dozens of western Negev residents protested outside the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday morning as the political security cabinet was meeting to discuss ongoing rocket attacks in southern Israel.

*Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa arrives in Israel on Wednesday to dedicate an English studies program in Sderot. The mayor is also scheduled to meet with a number of senior officials including President Shimon Peres, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

*Hamas warns Israel that an IDF assault in Gaza would result in Gaza becoming an Israeli graveyard.

*MAY 2008: 36 motorists and pedestrians killed on the nation’s roadways. 173 fatalities since January 1, 2008. 190 fatalities until June 11th at 13:50.

*Moshav Chaniel: A Thai worker in his 30s was bitten by a snake while working in a field. He was transported in a paramedic unit to Laniado Hospital in Netanya in moderate/stable condition.

*FM Livni told US Mideast envoy James Jones that a PA state which serves as a base for anti-Israel terrorism is contrary to both Israeli and American interests.

*Finance Minister Bar-On speaks of a tax plan that will lead to cuts in taxes by 2015.
 

On Wednesday in the Gur Beis Medresh in Geula the wedding of a granddaughter of the Rebbe Shlita is taking place. The kalah is the daughter of the Rebbe’s son-in-law, Rav Avraham Henech Zilberstein. The choson is the son of Rav Dovid Kuperberg, from Antwerp. (Photos have been uploaded at www.theyeshivaworld.com)

HaRav Meir Ovadia Einfeld, 75, a prominent Gerrer chassid,  collapsed on the way to the Gerrer wedding in Geula. Following resuscitation, he was transported in serious condition to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.