(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel) 

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*A closure has been placed on residents of Palestine Authority autonomous areas throughout Yehuda and Shomron, which will continue until Monday, following the Purim M’Shulash weekend. Authorities do however permit PA residents to enter into pre-1967 Green Line Israel in cases of humanitarian need.

*Security officials report there are still terror threats warning of ongoing efforts by terror organization to perpetrate a major terror attack in the coming days.

*Israel Police remains on a level III operational status, one level below a state-of-emergency as a result of credible terror warnings.

*Six PA residents suspected of involvement in terrorist activities were arrested by IDF soldiers operating in Yehuda, Shomron and the Jordan Valley during the night. In the home of one suspect in the village of Timun, northeast of Shechem, soldiers found and AK-47 assault rifle [also known as a Kalashnikov] along with ammunition. No injuries were reported.

*According to Acting Fire Dept. spokesman Sharon Bitan, an explosive device was detonated during the night on Tel Aviv’s Zimnoff Street. There are no reports of injuries. Police are investigating what might be an underworld crime-related matter.

*Three firebombs were hurled at border police near Maale HaChamisha. No injuries were reported.

*Military authorities on Tuesday night denied allegations that an Israeli Navy vessel entered Lebanese waters. The allegation was made by the crew of an Italian vessel assigned to a UN peace-keeping fore in the area.

*While there are mounting threats of planned terror activities, government officials are cutting the security budget for constructing security fences around yishuvim in Yehuda and Shomron by tens of percent.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*And the winner is; MK Chaim Oron was elected as the new leader of the extreme left-wing Meretz Party in Tuesday’s party primary election. Oron was running against MKs Zahav Gal-On and Ran Cohen, and took the leadership race with a 54.5% majority. Cohen received 27.1% of the vote and Gal-On 18.1%. Outgoing party leader, Dr. Yossi Beilin stated the party has elected a fitting leader, adding rumors of his planned departure from the political arena are not true, stating he plans to remain in politics. Cohen alleges the elections were not handled properly accusing his opponents of conspiring against him.

*According to a Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) report, former High Court of Justice President Aaron Barak stated that evicting the families of terrorists from their home will indeed increase security in Israel but at the same time, it will lower Israel’s image as a democratic nation vis-à-vis the international community. Barak, known for his left-wing liberal views, made his comments during an address in Herzliya.

*Measles alert announced in Jerusalem as a result of another case reported in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Health Ministry officials are calling on anyone who was in the hospital emergency room this past Shabbos, and has not been vaccinated against measles, to report to the hospital. According to a Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) report, a physician in that hospital has been infected with the measles.

(YWN)