The army apparently decided to try an experiment in Shavei Shomron today - but it failed when the residents did not let it proceed. Residents who attempted to leave the central-Samaria town via the main gate were greeted, as usual, by an IDF soldier - but this time he had some bad news: \"The road is closed; go around the back route.\" He gave no explanation. The disappointed residents saw Arab cars driving freely on the road, and could only suspect that this was an attempt to \"avoid problems\" by closing the road exclusively to Jewish traffic. At least one resident refused to go along with the plan; he explained that the new regulation would not be tolerated, and went through the gate. Another resident went around the back route, but then returned the front way. Arutz-7 has learned that the residents\' determination bore fruit; the army apparently back-tracked and the front gate was soon opened as usual.



The suspension of VIP privileges for Palestinian Authority leaders has become permanent, at least in part. Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman reports that the VIP-card holders, and their cars, will be checked at international border crossings leading to Egypt and Jordan, and at IDF checkpoints throughout Judea and Samaria. Until now the 80 VIPs have traveled freely in these areas. On the other hand, gas deliveries to Gaza have been resumed, despite the closure declared by the government after last week\'s bus crash terrorist attack that killed eight Israelis.