SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Border policeman operating in Shechem on Tuesday night arrested a wanted terrorist who was planning an attack in Israel. The suspect is said to be a senior figure in the Popular Front terror organization.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Peace Now will protest at 11:00AM on Thursday at the Shomron community of Migron, demanding the government implement the decision to remove “the outpost”.

*Former Kiryat Shmona Mayor Chaim Barbibai was found guilty of extortion and bribery and sentenced to a one-year suspended prison sentence and a NIS 200,000 fine. The former mayor announced he will be filing an appeal.

*Gaza: Hamas arrested a cameraman from Hizbullah al-Manar TV.

*Police on Wednesday morning prevented 150 right-wing marchers from entering the area between Shuafat Refugee Camp and Anata in the greater Jerusalem district.

*During the funeral of the boy from Na’alin, participants began throwing rocks at IDF soldiers.

*A Beit Shean city lifeguard was stabbed and wounded light-to-moderately when a dispute broke out between him and a visitor to the city pool. The attacker fled. Police have his identity. The victim was transported to Ha’emek Hospital in Afula.

*Abu Ala told US Secretary of State Rice there will be no deal between Israel and the PA without Jerusalem.

*Another round of talks between Syria and Israel end in Turkey without achieving a situation that will result in direct negotiations.

*PA (Palestinian Authority) pathologists report the boy killed in Na’alin died from a M-16 bullet. The child was buried without permitting Israel an opportunity to examine the child and his alleged gunshot injuries.

*The Knesset on Wednesday passed the new Plastic Bag Law in a first reading. If passed into law, supermarkets will be compelled to use biodegradable plastic bags and make baskets available to shoppers, seeking to minimize use of plastic.

*Left-wingers protest outside DM Barak’s Tel Aviv home on Wednesday evening following the death of an Arab child in Na’alin on Tuesday during an anti-fence protest.

*20 ancient sifrei Kodesh were stolen from a Tzfat shul on Tuesday night. Police have been notified and an investigation launched. The sifrei Kodesh are reportedly worth NIS tens of thousands.

*ABC TV quotes Senator Barak Obama as saying he believes if sanctions fail, Israel will attack Iran. He stressed no one told him this, but he understands this is Israel’s position following his recent visit.

*A simulated chemical missile attack drill will be held in the Kirya base in Tel Aviv on Thursday morning.

*A number of Kiryat Sefer residents summoned assistance, complaining of a burning sensation in their eyes. The cause was traced to the use of teargas against violent protestors at nearby Na’alin.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)