SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*A mother and daughter were very lightly injured in a rock-throwing attack on Gilad Road in Shomron. They were treated on the scene.

*Na’alin: Two border policemen were injured in their faces by Arabs and left-wingers throwing rocks in another violent anti partition fence protest. One sustained a fractured nose.

*Arabs reported that Jews were throwing rocks at them in Shomron near the community of Yitzhar.

*Army soldiers on Thursday searched for a Jewish man who during a scuffle with soldiers at Gilad Farm held a knife to his throat and threatened him. The suspect fled the scene, taking the soldiers helmet with him.

*Arabs reported to the army that “settlers” set 10 olive trees ablaze. The army is investigating.

*In a somewhat confusing report, a “settler” on Thursday grabbed a soldier’s gun at Gilad Farm in Shomron and began firing in the air. No additional information is available. No injuries were reported.

*A Kassam rocket or mortar shell landed on the PA side of Karnei Crossing.

*Kibbutz Masu’ot Yitzchak: Two Arabs on a construction site attacked a Jewish electrician with a hammer. The attackers fled the scene. Police announced they are conducting a search.

*A PA illegal was arrested by border police near Kalansua. He was found in possession of a gun and bullets.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*According to police, chareidim in Beit Shemesh on Thursday morning hurled rocks at city workers who were posting or changing a traffic sign. No injuries reported. Police are searching for the suspects.

*AG Mazuz: Regarding the investigation against the prime minister, Mr. Olmert is making things difficult regarding his lack of cooperation in scheduling questioning sessions.

*The national unemployment rate has hit a 21-year low according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. The current rate is reported to be 6.1%, representing 178,800 unemployed individuals.

*Justice Minister Friedman seeking to split the attorney general’s position into two, the attorney general and government counsel.

*The US dollar continues to strengthen against the shekel, trading on Thursday at 3.489. Since Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer announced two weeks ago Israel will purchase $100 million daily, the dollar rate against the shekel has risen 9.5%.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)