Hisham Bargouti, a brother of senior Fatah activist Marwan Bargouti, was arrested by Israeli security forces at the Allenby Bridge last night when a night-vision scope - designed to be attached to a weapon - was discovered on his person. Hisham Bargouti is a Saudi Arabian resident who periodically visits his family in the autonomous areas. IMRA (\"www.imra.org.il\") notes that Ha\'aretz reported that \"Hisham\'s family were astounded by the news of his arrest,\" but failed to mention that he was arrested for attempting to smuggle the night-vision equipment...



The Knesset Finance Committee refused to approve the budget of the Israel Broadcasting Authority today. The session was halted in the middle, by the unanimous decision of the committee members, who said that the IBA had not met its obligations under the mandated rehabilitation plan. The proposed budget includes significant pay raises for many IBA seniors...



The Supreme Court heard a joint petition today by the Israel Society for the Preservation of Nature and right-wing activist Noam Federman. They demand that the State restore the Mt. Korazim (Mt. of Beatitudes) site, which it destroyed last year to make room for a Mass prayer service in the presence of the Pope. The government promised at the time that it would restore the site, but it has not yet done so...