"For the first time in the country’s history, a government will provide assistance (not to mention a budget and salaries for the employees and the enthusiastic manager) to an activity aimed at brainwashing high-school students with fanatical messianic ideas painted in strong nationalist hues and clad in military uniforms and insignia."--Haaretz's Avirama Golan warns Israelis about the 'Khomeinist and anti-democratic' spirit behind the creation of the Religious Services Ministry's 'Jewish Identity Administration'.
- Extremist Israelis enter Al-Aqsa Mosque compound - Dozens of extremist Israelis on Wednesday entered the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, escorted by Israeli police. Israeli police had rejected a request to stop the visits during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began Wednesday. (Maan)
- Sharp drop in stone-throwing in Judea and Samaria (W. Bank) - Central Command General Nitzan Alon presented to settler leaders the achievements of the IDF in recent months: Drop of almost 70% in stone-throwing terror. (Maariv, p. 1/NRG Hebrew)
- Beitar (racist soccer team) fan indicted for racist attacks on Arabs - Avi Elkayam, 24, charged of racist assault of three Arab employees of Jerusalem McDonald's branch. Attack began after he asked what their ethnicities were. (Ynet+VIDEO)
- Israel charges Palestinian women over non-violent protest - An Israeli military court formally charged Nariman Tamimi, 37, and Rana Hamadah, 21, who also holds Canadian nationality, with "entering a closed military zone" during a demonstration in Nabi Saleh, where villagers have been protesting since 2009 over the seizure of their lands by a nearby settlement. (Maan)
- Israel Prison Service sources: 'Second Prisoner X' held for years in total isolation - Testimonies provided to Haaretz describe conditions in which the anonymous inmate is being held; Lieberman: Case is 'extremely severe incident.' (Haaretz)
- "Immediate solution to housing crisis: Construction in (E.) Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria (W. Bank)" - (pro-settler Habayit Hayehudi) Housing Minister Uri Ariel said in Knesset Finance Committee: "(The settlements of) Beit Arieh, Ofarim, Elkana, and other communities, they are the center of the country and we are prepared to immediately market there some 100,000 housing units; Avoiding building in (East) Jerusalem is an economic mistake and hurts the demographic balance of the city." (Maariv's Globes, p. 1)
- Million Palestinians to enter Israel (E. Jerusalem) during Ramadan - With month-long fast looming, defense establishment prepares for influx of Palestinian worshipers, plans to make special efforts to alleviate security tensions: Special pamphlet created for soldiers, Palestinians above 60 granted unlimited access to Temple Mount. (Ynet)
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