DDM Matan Vilnai stated Western nations are well aware that Israel’s five-day preparedness exercise is for defense purposes, not offensive preparedness. He made his remarks on Monday while visiting an MDA center.

**A number of youths burned a tire and tried closing the road, the entrance to Yerushalayim from Highway 1 on Monday night. Police extinguished the blaze and distanced the protestors, who decried the government’s dismantling of unauthorized outposts in Yehuda and Shomron. 4 arrests were made.

**Monday evening: Two Israeli who entered a PA autonomous area near PA-occupied Bet Lechem were handed over to Israeli authorities by PA police.

**Kadima opposition party MK Yisrael Hasson on Monday stated the current administration’s policies are isolating Israel among the international community.

**Shas leader Interior Minister Eli Yishai later this week will meet with settlement leaders regarding the escalating conflict surrounding unauthorized outposts throughout Yehuda and Shomron.

**Chaggai Hadas will later this week meet with Noam and Aviva Shalit in his new capacity, responsible for negotiations towards obtaining their son’s release from Hamas captivity. The Shalits are returning from NYC where they led Sunday’s Salute to Israel Parade.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)