Mideast Report

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- A summit for women denied religious divorces by their husbands is slated for Rachel's Tomb near Bethlehem on Sunday.

The fourth annual conference of the Brooklyn, N.Y., group L'maan B'nos Yisroel International is scheduled to include Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar and Rabbi Ya'akov Pollack of Congregation Shomrei Emunah in Boro Park.

The group is dedicated to helping agunot, or "chained women" who are denied a get, or religious divorce, by their husbands. It has drafted rabbinic court procedures for divorce that have won acceptance by Israel's Chief Rabbinate, the centrist Orthodox Rabbinical Council of America and the Orthodox Union.

Chimp on rampage attacks, wounds three in Arab town

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- An escaped chimpanzee attacked at least three residents of an Arab town in northern Israel last week.

The wayward chimp headed into the West Bank as Israeli police summoned a veterinarian to help recapture the animal.

Local clinics treated three people for bites and scratches.

El Al cancels Kenya flights due to terror threats

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- El Al suspended its flights to Kenya amid fears of an increased terrorist threat.

The move ordered by the Shin Bet came after security warnings, issued by Britain and the United States, of alleged al-Qaida activity in the African country.

Last November, an Israeli charter plane taking off from Kenya and an Israeli-owned hotel in the country were targets of attacks.

Strike postponed as deal is reached by unions, treasury

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israeli public sector workers called off a general strike.

The call came Sunday after representatives from the Treasury and the Histadrut labor federation reached an agreement regarding wage cuts and dismissals in the public sector.

No agreement was reached on pension funds, but the sides agreed to continue talks.