* At a special IDF General Staff meeting today, 30 cases of suicides in the army over the past year were reviewed, with an eye towards reducing the number of such suicides in the future. Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz said that many of the suicides were unconnected with the soldiers' military service, while Chief Personnel Officer Maj.-Gen. Elazar Stern noted that the rate of suicides in the IDF is similar to that in other armies. The recent order to withhold weapons from some soldiers working in non-military positions was praised.
The following measures were decided upon: Increase of availability of those who can provide help for soldiers in distress; increased awareness and training for officers dealing with soldiers' distress; educational programs for soldiers and officers.
* It was announced today that State Comptroller Hon. Justice Micha Lindenstrauss has established a special department in his office to fight public corruption. The department will investigate suspected criminal activity in "real time" and will publicize its conclusions in a report separate from the Comptroller's annual report.
First on the agenda will be an investigation into the appointment of Eli Landau as Chairman of the Israel Broadcasting Authority, and one into allegedly illegal benefits granted to Bank of Israel employees.
* Finally, a special prayer service is scheduled for 6:30 PM this evening (Monday) at the Western Wall plaza on behalf of those who are not yet married. The organizers say that the prayer is being held "in light of the painful situation in which tens of thousands of people have not yet established a home and family... We call upon the wider public to take part and ask together for the removal of all obstacles in the way of the establishment of families, and for the granting of wisdom and counsel for the correct path to be blessed quickly with the 'joyous sound of groom and bride.'"