Israel Announces 1,200 New Settlement Home Days Before Talks

"Building thousands of housing units in the settlements is a roadmine placed by the government to kill the negotiations before they even begin."--Meretz Chairwoman Zahava Gal-On on the announcement to build 1,200 more settlement homes, the second such decision in three days and just ahead of peace talks.

• EU settlement ban casts shadow over Palestinian industry in the West Bank - Israeli business owners wonder how many Palestinians will lose their jobs if companies are forced to move over the Green Line into Israel proper. (Haaretz+)
• Young Israeli scientists win a prestigious European grant, but could they be the last? As the EU clamps down on channeling funds to the territories, there is no guarantee Israelis will continue to be eligible for the kind of 1.5 million-euro grant awarded this year to 32 young local scientists. (Haaretz+)
• Netanyahu discharged from hospital in good condition - Prime minister released from hospital following successful surgery for umbilical hernia. Expected to resume all official responsibilities within a few days. (Ynet)
• Comedy of errors engulfs top economic team - Senior government official says Israelis feel there is no economic leadership due to 'very significant mistakes' made in past four months. 'This is going to frighten potential investors,' official adds. (Agencies, Ynet)
• Regev: Make 'Hatikvah' mandatory at all national events - MK Miri Regev is outraged over the absence of the national anthem during the visit by FC Barcelona to Israel, and demands to know who ordered that it not be played. Proposes law making it mandatory to play national anthem at every national event. (Israel Hayom)
• Immigrants make up 37 percent of army suicides, Knesset study says - 40 percent drop in suicide rate since army limited number of conscripts who take their weapons home; IDF withholds data on suicide attempts. (Haaretz+)
• Zionism on wheels: The journey to bring back the brains - Following the death of his father from cancer, Tom Peled and two friends made a cost-to coast bicycle trip in the US to raise money to bring Israeli cancer researchers home. One agreed and now they are making another trip. (Maariv, p. 13/NRG Hebrew)
• Dermer's exaggerated demands - Ron Dermer has not yet entered the position as ambassador to the US and already he is demanding from the Foreign Ministery things of a senior minister. On the list: A luxury apartment, appointments of his associates in positions of trust for which there is no defined job slot, and an early entry into the job. (Yedioth, p. 13)

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