Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel Israel Meir Lan has joined those criticizing the Knesset speaker Abraham Burg. The latter, addressing the leader of Party of labor Binijamin Ben-Elizer, accused the government of cruel actions against PA thus provoking terrorism.

Lan has noted instead of bringing ungrounded accusations in the "government policy of terrorism", Burg would have better mourned over hundreds of peaceful Israelis killed in acts of terror".

Israel and Jordan are considering an opportunity to jointly construct a water-way to let the waters of Red Sea into the Dead Sea to avert its shallowing. The water level in the Dead Sea is going down due to different reasons at the speed of approximately 1 meter a year. Since 1994 the Dead Sea has run 7,5m aground.

A preliminary estimate shows the project will demand 700 mln dollars. At present, Jordan holds negotiations with the International bank on its partial participation in the project.

General director of the Jewish agency, a retired general Giora Romm met in the Center of envoys with 200 new agency emissaries completing their training for further work in 30 different countries.

Envoys are to encourage repatriation to Israel, contribute to the development of Jewish education and upbringing and Hebrew teaching, to support a community life and strengthen cooperation between diaspora communities and their states. Envoys are directed to the following countries: USA, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, France, England, Germany, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Mexico, Panama and others. Alongside, the Jewish agency forwarded 1,500 young instructors for a short-term work in summer camps of North America, CIS countries and Europe.

This year the Jewish agency has, for the first time, reached Jews - emigrants from the former USSR residing now in New York to strengthen their Jewish self-awareness and to establish contacts between this community and Israel.

MIA addressed the police with a complaint seven thousand Israeli citizens - firearm owners had not applied to resume their permission to possess arms. The police have announced they intend to start criminal proceedings against infringers. After the MIA estimate, 45 thousand Israeli citizens possess arms without permission.