Police at Kotel, used to arresting women davening like men, now protect them under new laws. Last week police arrested 3 men after an ultra-Orthodox mob tried to stop women exercising new rights on Rosh Chodesh.

Letter busts Cambridge U’s attempt to cover up Hawking’s boycott as ‘health grounds.’ Speech device which enables him to communicate with the world runs on an Israeli-designed chip, writes DOUGLAS MURRAY.

Israeli blog says tomorrow’s UAE paper reports no more appeal but says Prof is “finalising" passport. “At this point, the failure of (SA) gov’t to take meaningfully active steps on his behalf is beyond comprehension.”

Knesset agrees that Women of the Wall can pray as they choose. Kotel Rabbi Rabinovitch endorses Sharansky compromise. A-G says State won’t appeal decision. Police won’t obstruct women – talitot, tefillin & all!

Tens of thousands of travellers were stranded as employees of El Al, Arkia and Israir went on strike earlier this week. The strike ended before Ben Gurion Airport was shut but “situation remains problematic.”