Tuesday

HA’ARETZ

1. LIEBERMAN: OLMERT'S PLAN STRENGTHENS HAMAS.

Yisrael Beitenu Chairman, marked as certain Kadima coalition partner, says that he won't sit in Government that adopts Olmert's withdrawal plan.

2. BIRD FLU CONTINUES TO SPREAD: DIAGNOSED AT NIR OZ AND AMIOZ.

3. STATE EVACUATED COLLABORATORS' GAZA VILLAGE BUT FORGOT THAT ITS RESIDENTS NEED SERVICES.

HATZOFEH

1. Demands in political establishment to recognize plague as natural disaster.

SCREW-UP: BIRD FLU SPREADING.

Fatal strain of bird flu virus identified yesterday at Nahal Oz and Amioz.  Zevulon Regional Council communities organizing to head off plague.  Knesset Economics Committee to convene in emergency session this morning, with participation of Agriculture Minister.  Health Ministry issued updated instructions to public yesterday with recommendations on how to avoid contracting the disease.

2. POLL: BLOCKING MAJORITY FOR THE RIGHT.

3. RIOTS IN GAZA.

Fatah vs. Hamas.  Four Palestinian security men wounded in gun battle with Fatah men demanding payment of their salaries.  Other activists organized mass demonstration to demand unemployment solution.

4. ZIG-ZAG AT KARNI CROSSING.

Karni crossing likely to open this morning despite terrorist attack warnings in order to allow transport of flour, food and humanitarian equipment to Gaza Strip.  IDF Radio reports that manner and duration of opening will be decided on according to security situation.  Yesterday: Crossing reopened after prolonged closure and re-closed.

5. RETIRING MKS' BENEFITS CUT.

MA’ARIV

1. Veterinarians and farmers warn: Plague has not been halted.

CONCERN: BIRD FLU TO SPREAD NORTHWARDS.

Poultry farmers: "If plague reaches one farm in north, it will be impossible to stop."  Agriculture Ministry worried: Virus incubation period liable to last six days. 

2. ONE WEEK TO ELECTIONS: FIGHTING APATHY.

Likud will court those hurt by economic decrees.  Labor to scour country.  Kadima discussing allocation of portfolios.

3. AMONA REPORT: CONCLUSIONS.

These are main points of Knesset inquiry committee's interim report:  On preparations – "Faults in planning and implementation out of evacuation."  On implementation – "Police unprepared to evacuate rooftop protestors."  And on settlers: "Severe problem in enforcing law in territories."

YEDIOT AHRONOT

1. Week before elections – Peretz preparing to join coalition.  Senior Labor official:

"PERETZ TO GIVE UP ON PORTFOLIOS IN EXCHANGE FOR SOCIAL LEGISLATION."

Demands: Minimum wage to be increased to $1,000, mandatory pensions, support payments for elderly to be increased.

2. Political appointments.

DOUBTFUL BUSINESS.

Yediot Ahronot check: Three Likud Central Committee members appointed to Small Business Administration while Olmert was Industry, Trade and Employment Minister, without checking their qualifications.  Olmert: Appointments were appropriate.

3. AMONA REPORT: SEVERE CRITICISM OF GIDEON EZRA.

Today: Knesset inquiry committee to issue interim report on evacuation at outpost.

4. THE AMBASSADORS.

Easiest way to convince world – through its stomach.  Foreign Ministry to dispatch leading Israeli chefs abroad.  On the menu: Gourmet falafel and crème brulee from tehina.