Label plan draws fire
Plans by Britain to label products from West Bank settlements are causing tensions with Israel. Ha’aretz reported that top Israeli officials have been urging Britain to cancel the plan, which they equate to a boycott, and that it was to be discussed when Foreign Minister David Miliband visits Israel this week. Britain says the plan  meets a requirement of its trade agreements.

Interest rate cut
Bank of Israel governor Stanley Fischer cut the interest rate by 0.5 per cent to three per cent, the lowest in Israel’s history. The global slowdown spurred the move.

Iran tests missile
Iran says it test-fired a new surface-to-surface missile  with a range of 1,900 kilometres, which puts Israel in its reach. In announcing the test, state-run media said Iran is ready to defend itself against any attack.

Hamas gunmen killed
Israeli soldiers killed four Hamas gunmen Nov. 12 near the Gaza border fence. The men were trying to enter Israel and plant explosives in the area around Khan Younis, near the Kissufim crossing. Rifles and grenades were found on their bodies. An Israeli soldier was wounded in the exchange, in which the soldiers pursued the gunmen into Gaza. The Palestinians later fired mortar shells at the crossing.

Army sanctions soldiers
The Israeli army said last week it will court-martial four soldiers filmed taunting a bound and blindfolded Palestinian. The video of the incident, which reportedly took place a year ago, was posted last week on YouTube and drew global attention.
– With files from JTA