Vice Prime Minister Chaim Ramon (Kadima) plans to begin talks with university students in the next two weeks in an attempt to prevent a continuation of strikes that shut down Israeli universities towards the end of the last school year. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appointed Minister Ramon, a friend and political ally, to lead the negotiations.

Students have rejected proposals of the Shochat Commission to raise tuition fees by 72 percent. Prime Minister Olmert fears that a prolonged strike will further damage his image, the Hebrew newspaper Ma'ariv reported.