--Major-General Yiftah Ron Tal, who was ordered by IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz to appear before him concerning criticism of the army and the government, said that Lt. General Halutz should resign. Major-General Ron Tal is on leave prior to his retirement from the IDF. Last year, he criticized the government's expulsion policy as "suicidal" and recently said that the government and the military are to blame for what he called failures in the retaliation against the Hizbullah in the north.

--Israel has chosen Sali Meridor to be its new ambassador to the United States. Meridor completed a six-year term as head of the Jewish Agency last year. During his tenure he advocated for expanding Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. Meridor replaces Danny Ayalon, whose term is ending in January after a four-year stint.

--Defense Minister Amir Peretz told United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that "the release of soldier Gilad Shalit is the key to advance any future talks with the [PA Arabs]."