The West Bank settlement of Ariel has received approval to build 27 new factories in the area. The new construction aims to triple the size of the industrial park, creating between 1,500 to 2,000 new jobs in the area, which lies 17 kilometres over the Green Line.
Israeli forces arrested seven Palestinians with connections to Hamas in the West Bank city of Nablus. The move follows the closure of several Hamas-linked institutions in the West Bank last week. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas warned that such moves weakened him as he made efforts to deploy his own security forces against militant groups.
Tremors were felt throughout Israel on Tuesday after an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit the Greek island of Rhodes. No injuries were reported in Israel, although a woman was killed in Rhodes.
A Palestinian Authority court in Jenin sentenced two Palestinians to death for "collaboration" with Israel, the second time such a sentence has been handed down since April. Although Mr Abbas has never authorised such a death sentence, some are carried out extrajudicially.
A square in Herzliya was dedicated this week in memory of one of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising's unsung heroes. It honours Pawel Frenkel, the commander of the Jewish Military Organisation.
The Prime Minister's Office issued a heightened terror alert to Israelis travelling to the Egyptian area of Sinai, warning of specific intelligence on plans by militant groups to abduct Israelis. "Terrorists groups, who have been preparing to abduct Israelis in Sinai, are ready to carry out their plans with immediate effect," it said.
Arts
Music, art and performances will be on offer next week in Tirat Hacarmel - and all for one shekel (around 15 pence). Festival B'Shekel offers activities at a symbolic price so that everyone can participate. Top bands playing include hip-hop stars Hadag Nahash, whose lead singer, Shaanan Streett, is the founding member of the festival initiative.
Caesarea is to host outdoor screenings of classic Alfred Hitchcock films on the next four successive Wednesdays. Caesarea Nights starts with Psycho, shown near the waterfront with actors re-creating scenes from the film nearby in the ancient port town.
The Karmiel Dance Festival kicks off on July 22 for a three-day celebration that includes a retrospective of 60 years of Israeli dance. Workshops will be guided by some 30 experienced tutors with around 80 events, including performances of Hungarian, Indian, South American and Spanish styles.
Jazz star Branford Marsalis was due to play a Tel Aviv gig in the Performing Arts Centre today (Friday). The respected American saxophonist, 48, has collaborated with jazz legends including Miles Davis.
Business
Microsoft is to buy Israeli start-up Zoomix in a deal estimated at between $25m (£12.5m) and $35m (£17.5m). Zoomix specialises in data quality software systems and its technology will be integrated into Microsoft's SQL Server Data Platform.
Given Imaging Ltd said that US health insurer Medical Mutual of Ohio has expanded its coverage of its PillCam products. These include a camera in a capsule which diagnoses digestive ailments.
The rate of inflation had a surprise slowdown in June, dropping to 4.8 per cent in June from 5.4 per cent in May. But the inflation rate has still exceeded the one to three per cent target rate over seven consecutive months as set by the central bank.