"It is a mistake to think the Foreign Ministry needs a person whose views the world would rather hear but do not reflect the government or the majority in Israel."--Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin tells AP why it's not a problem that he's a settler.
- Girl, 7, injured in hit-and-run collision involving Israeli settler - Bayan Kamel Shatat, 7, was hit by an Israeli settler south of Hebron, Red Crescent officials said. She was moderately wounded and transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment. (Maan)
- Settlers slash tires of 15 vehicles in East Jerusalem - Residents in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem told Ma'an that they were surprised to wake up this morning and find their tires punctured. The residents checked footage from a security camera which showed settlers vandalizing the vehicles. This is the fifth incident of its kind to happen recently in the neighborhood. (Maan)
- Palestinian workers say daily journey to Israel 'torturous' - Some are hospitalized for fractures or asphyxia from the incredibly heavy jam and chaos at the crossing every morning. Around 4,000 Palestinian workers from the Hebron district face an arduous journey everyday as they try to cross into Israel via the Tarqumiya checkpoint. (Maan)
- Israel-Turkey reconciliation talks hit impasse over scope of compensation - Ankara, Jerusalem negotiating agreement for restoring ties that would include payment to families of nine Turks killed by IDF on Gaza flotilla, but while Israel is prepared to pay $100,000 to each family, Turkey demands $1 million. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli, Palestinian businessmen push for peace - Members of the Breaking the Impasse Initiative say they will leverage their collective business experience and influence to convince Israeli and Palestinian leaders to begin serious negotiations with the goal of reaching a peace agreement. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
- Israeli university adds Christian and Muslim holidays to vacation calendar for first time - Haifa University's precedent-setting decision will give days off for Christmas and Id al-Fitr, in addition to the traditional Jewish holidays. (Haaretz+)
- Bedouins, MKs protest Negev displacement plans - Dozens of Negev Bedouins joined a demonstration in front of Israel's Knesset to protest forced displacement of nearly 40,000 Bedouins. MK Abu Arar, who leads campaign to protect Negev Bedouins, appealed to "rational Israeli officials" to halt implementation of the Prawer-Begin plan, which he called a "racist, apartheid law." (Maan)
For the full News from Israel.