Dichter, who served as head of the General Security Service (Shabak) until joining the Kadima party earlier this year, responded affirmatively to the faction's invitation.



The National Union-National Religious Party numbers nine MKs, after its two member parties merged before the national elections earlier this year.



pictured, left to right: MKs Zevulun Orlev, Effie Eitam, Yitzchak Levy



On the agenda will be five issues:

  • Rachel's Tomb. Now that the entire compound is protected and fortified - many now describe it as a stone fortress, rather than the familiar roadside-and-tree site as it has appeared in countless paintings over the generations - the MKs will ask that worshipers be allowed to reach the site freely. At present, they are forced to take reinforced buses, which arrive infrequently and according to a pre-determined schedule.

  • The administrative orders distancing some 20 Yesha men from their homes and families for 3-12 months. The evidence against them is "too secret to be publicized," government sources say, and they have therefore been "sentenced" without trial. The MKs will ask that the orders be withdrawn, or that the men be put on trial.

  • The mixed Jewish-Arab cities of Jaffa and Akko. The MKs want Dichter to order the deployment of Border Guard contingents in neighborhoods there that have been plagued of late by Arab violence against Jews.

  • Violent policemen. The Knesset Members will ask Dichter to uproot the phenomenon of policemen who are excessively violent and/or do not wear name tags when dealing with nationalist protestors. Dichter will be enjoined to suspend the policemen who, at the Amona incident last year, beat MKs Eldad and Eitam, trampled Yehuda Etzion, and hit children.

  • Jewish prayer at the Temple Mount. The police often prevent Jews from praying at this, the most sacred site of the Jewish People, in order to mollify the Arabs who threaten violence. Jewish prayer at the area known as the Small Wall, further north along the Western Wall, is also often restricted.