Following Labor, Industry and Trade Minister Ehud Olmert's (Likud) decision to cease sending non-Jewish inspectors to enforce Shabbat work restrictions, and the National Religious party's subsequent suspension of coalition participation because of it, Housing Minister Effie Eitam, NRP chairman, spoke with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon about the matter by phone. NRP officials explain the cancellation of the inspectors by Minister Olmert is a violation of the coalition agreement and the religious status quo. Prime Minister Sharon is planning to discuss the issue with Olmert on Sunday morning, ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting.



Likud MK Roni Milo, a former mayor of Tel Aviv, is slated to be Israel's next ambassador to London, Foreign Ministry officials report. He met on Thursday with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom to discuss the appointment, which is expected to be approved by the Civil Service Commission.