The Defense Ministry plans to launch “Stage 3” of its cabinet-sanctioned crackdown on new construction in West Bank settlements next week, including a major police roundup of those who violate the moratorium.

Fearing a repeat of Arab rioting over Israel’s national heritage list, the IDF sealed off the West Bank on Friday, while police boosted their presence in Jerusalem.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak Thursday ordered the Israel Defense Forces to impose a general closure on the West Bank, preventing Palestinians from entering Israel.

Some 50,000 new housing units in Jerusalem neighborhoods beyond the Green Line are in various stages of planning and approval, planning officials told Haaretz.

Palestinians will not begin indirect talks with Israel unless the Israeli government annuls a decision to build 1,600 houses in East Jerusalem, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Thursday.

Poll also shows 56% of Jewish Israeli schoolchildren say no to Arab Israeli MKs.

A civil trial in the death of American activist Rachel Corrie by an Israeli military bulldozer opened in Haifa.

Israel has decided to stop pursuing dozens of West Bank-based members of Fatah’s armed wing, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades, Palestinian sources said on Tuesday.

The plight of Falash Mura will be resolved within a year, Israel's interior minister promised.

Fifteen policemen were lightly wounded in their attempt to restore order on the Temple Mount after Arab youths emerging from Friday prayers started hurling rocks down onto those worshiping at the Western Wall.