SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Security officials demanding an addition NIS 500 million to expedite fortification work of communities in the Greater Gaza Area. Military officials lament the slow progress.

*A wanted terrorist in Dalan, in the Jenin district tried to flee as an undercover border police unit tried to arrest him. He was shot in his neck as he attempted to escape. He was pronounced dead in Ha’emek Hospital in Afula.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*A request from former President Moshe Katsav for a high-end luxury vehicle and an office in Azriele Towers has been turned down.

*1,800 new homes were approved in Pisgat Ze’ev and Har Choma.

*Moshe Talansky landed in Israel on Wednesday evening. He will meet with his attorney ahead of next week’s court session.

*Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini in an address in Ramallah stated new settlements is a direct affront to the PA.

*The temperature is expected to continue climbing on Thursday and Friday, with some relief expected on Shabbos and Sunday. Moderate-to-high heat stress expected. A high of 91F is expected in Yerushalayim on Friday. Tiveria (105F), Tel Aviv (86F), and Tzfas (91F).

*A petition was filed with the Supreme Court seeking to end the discriminatory practices of Beis Yaakov in Emanuel which is separating Ashkenazi and Sephardi students. The girls have even been given different uniforms.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)