SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Terrorist Muhammad Khalil, a member of Islamic Jihad, was apprehended in Bet Lechem on Sunday night by security forces. He is reportedly linked to no less than 15 terror attacks in the Jerusalem area, including suicide bombings and shootings.

*Arabs throw rocks at security forces at Na’alin anti-fence protest.

*Rock-throwing attacks against Israeli motorists near Azzoun on Monday evening. No injuries.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*PM Olmert vows to continue tenacious efforts to obtain the release of Gilad Shalit.

*PM Olmert states he will head the transition government up until the elections.

*Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik criticized parties for not joining the new coalition in her address to the opening of the Knesset winter session. She called decision not to join Livni’s coalition “irresponsible”.

*US Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin met on Monday with Israel’s ambassador to the US, Sallai Meridor.

*In meetings on Monday with faction leaders, Rav Avraham Litzman asked President Shimon Peres to please not schedule elections on Tu B’Shvat since it would interfere with the chareidi community’s celebration of the day and impact voter turnout.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)