Courtesy of ISN Israel News
There is heightened security throughout Israel as the Jewish New Year begins on Friday night and lasts for 48 hours.
The police and border police have increased their patrols, particularly near synagogues, national parks and on the beaches.
The Israel Defense Forces carried out widespread arrests in the West Bank and Gaza early on Friday.
Twenty-five people were taken in for questioning in Ramallah alone.
Muslims are commemorating the third anniversary of the outbreak of violence and the wave of suicide bombings that began on September 28, 2000.
Fearing protests against Israel on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, the country’s police have restricted entrance to the area to men over the age of 45.
At the height of the violence in Jerusalem, Israel succeeded in calming the situation by restricting worshippers by age, reducing the limit each week.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom has called on the leaders of the Arab world and those in Iran to launch peace talks with Israel.
He made the appeal during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Shalom met several Arab leaders during the week-long session.
Meanwhile, Iran says Israel is in a wretched situation because of Palestinian resistance.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamanai told Muslim leaders from around Asia that this type of resistance will succeed in repelling Western imperialism.
Israel’s population this New Year stands at 6.7 million, a 1.8 percent rise on last year’s figure. Of that total, 5.1 million are Jews.
Of the remaining 1.6 million, the vast majority are Muslim Arabs.
The staff of ISN Israel News and The Media Line, whether you are Jew, Christian, Muslim or of another faith, wish you a very happy New Year.
The Media Line’s next daily focus will be published on Monday, September 29.