Israel powers into Davis Cup semifinals
Israel’s men’s tennis team, after completing a stunning 4-1 victory over Russia on July 12, will visit Spain for the semifinals of the Davis Cup over the Rosh Hashanah weekend of September 18-20.
Against Russia, Israel secured the win on July 11 by opening an unassailable 3-0 lead thanks to Andy Ram’s and Yoni Erlich’s victory in doubles. Spain, the defending champion, claimed a 3-2 victory over Germany. — jpost.com
Olmert aide charged in tax authority fraud
Ehud Olmert’s former office manager was charged with fraud for her role in the tax authority affair.
Shula Zaken, former bureau chief for Olmert when he served as finance minister and prime minister, was charged last week with fraud and breach of trust along with seven other suspects in the case, including her brother.
The investigation thus far has found that Zaken and others helped facilitate Jacky Matzah’s appointment as tax authority director, Ha’aretz reported. Matzah then made appointments and granted tax benefits to help the suspects. — jpost.com
Security wall progress minimal over 15 months
Almost no progress has been made toward completing the West Bank security barrier in the past 15 months, according to numbers provided to the Jerusalem Post by the Defense Ministry.
To date, about 305 miles of the planned 500-mile barrier have been finished, according to Defense Ministry spokesman Shlomo Dror.
While work crews continue to complete mostly constructed sections, or to redo sections of the route based on High Court rulings, in 15 months the number of fully completed sections has increased by only 25.
In two years, the length of the barrier has increased by only about 25 miles. — jpost.com
IDF gives shoutout to Palestinian security
Israel’s army praised the job Palestinian security forces have been doing in the West Bank.
“There’s a very impressive number of arrests made by the Palestinians themselves. We do see the crime rate down overall,” said Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich, head of the international media and communications branch of the IDF spokespersons unit.
Last month, the IDF agreed that Palestinian forces would be permitted to operate 24 hours a day in four large Palestinian cities.
Leibovich also noted that the IDF had removed more than 140 roadblocks and checkpoints in the West Bank in the last year. — jta