"The prosecution does not have one shred of evidence that could—even at the most basic theoretical level—point to the accused as guilty of participating in an illegal assembly... The phenomenon of indictments against demonstrators is repeated again and again, while the factual claims are refuted by footage from the police or other sources."-- Judge Druyan strongly criticizes the Israel Police for trumped up charges against four young Arab Israeli citizens.
- Palestinian hunger striker hospitalized - Administrative detainee Samer Issawi admitted to hospital after taking turn for the worse. Two other prisoners end hunger strike. (Ynet)
- Israel will release results of Palestinian prisoner's autopsy - Four inmates on hunger strike hospitalized but none in mortal danger, says Public Security Minister. (Haaretz+)
- Less immigration/aliyah: Drop in number of immigrants to Israel - Since founding of state, 3.2 million people have immigrated. The annual average in the last decade stood at 18,000, compared to 84,000 in the previous decade. Drop of 2% in 2012. (Maariv/NRG Hebrew and Israel Hayom)
- PLO: Boycott Jerusalem marathon - Palestinians call on participants, sponsors to withdraw their support from race winding through city's eastern sector this Friday. (Ynet)
- Iron Dome battery tested in Modi'in area, between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem - Gaza militants fired two rockets at the Jerusalem area during Operation Pillar of Defense in November; IDF expects Hamas to target Jerusalem more often after being 'equipped with more precise rockets thanks to Iran.' (Haaretz+)
- Livnat urges Netanyahu to nix primaries - Political arena rattled by voter fraud scandal in Habayit Hayehudi; culture and sports minister urges PM to change Likud's voting system. (Ynet)
- Hamas and Fatah postpone their Cairo reconciliation talks - The two Palestinian movements have been at loggerheads for years despite mediation attempts by Egypt and other Arab countries. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- PM urges powers to issue Iran military threat - As nuclear talks in Kazakhstan draw to an end, Netanyahu says West must consider 'military sanctions' against increasingly-defiant Tehran. (Ynet)
For the full News from Israel.