SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Several vehicles were damaged in Tuesday afternoon rock-throwing attacks near Rechalim in Shomron. No injuries were reported.

*Rock-throwing attacks on the Gush Etzion Road near el-Aroub on Tuesday afternoon. No injuries reported.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*The Land of Israel Forum is calling on Civil Service Commissioner Shmuel Hollander to suspend Shula Zaken, the former director-general of PM Olmert�s bureau.

*A man was stung by a scorpion and moderately injured in Elkana in Shomron on Tuesday.

*Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai released a statement on Tuesday that Rafiach Crossing between Gaza and Egypt will not be opened prior to the release of Gilad Shalit.

*PM Olmert and PA�s Abu Mazen are scheduled to meet again on Wednesday.

*The nation�s lifeguards and the Union of Local Authorities are negotiating until 13 August as per a labor court decision after which time the lifeguards may strike if an agreement has not been reached.

*Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi, chief rabbi of Kfar Chabad, left on motzei Shabbos, leading a delegation of Chabad shochtim and mashgichim traveling to Poland.

*Left-wingers protested outside the Zichron Yaakov home of an IDF battalion commander on Tuesday because his soldiers are operating in the Arab village of Na�alin. At least 20 of the violent protesters were arrested.

*Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz officially declares his candidacy for Kadima leadership, relying on his impressive security past to boost his candidacy. In his address, he stated he remains committed to a united Yerushalayim.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)