SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*13:00: The Color Red incoming rocket warning system was accidentally activated in Ashkelon.

*Military officials informed northern residents that explosions heard in the area are the result of military exercises and not a cause for concern.

*18:07: A Kassam rocket landed in an open area in southern Israel. No injuries were reported.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Meir Turjeman remains the only Jerusalem councilman to remain in opposition with Mayor Barkat assembling a coalition comprised of 30 of the 31 elected officials.

*Ariel University report: The Jewish growth rate in Yehuda and Shomron is three times the national average.

*A man was reported in moderate condition on Monday morning after being bitten by a snake near Moshav Eitan in southern Israel.

*A 40-year-old Jewish male was arrested by police at Um el-Fahm on Monday morning after the man waved an Israeli flag.

*The consumer price index dropped this month 0.6% the Central Bureau of Statistics announced on Monday.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)