* Syria, PA slam Olmert’s call to hold joint peace summit A Syrian source slammed on Monday Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s call to Arab leaders to hold a joint conference to further peace negotiations.

* Seized crew ‘all admit trespass’ The 15 Britons held by Iran accept they were picked up in its waters despite the UK’s insistence they were in Iraqi territory, Iranian state radio says.

* IDF, Police on High Alert for Passover Holiday The Israel Defense Forces, Border Guards and police departments raised alert levels this week.

* ‘Pessah faith makes for better soldiers’ Rabbi of IDF Central Command Lt.-Col. Benjamin Makluf is convinced that teaching his soldiers about the Jews’ redemption from Egypt will make them better soldiers.

* Israel offers Arabs peace talks Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has proposed holding a regional peace conference following the revival of an Arab peace initiative.

* Hamas: We’re ready to defend Gaza Hamas said on Sunday that it is “fully prepared” to repel an Israeli military invasion of the Gaza Strip.

* Tsunami strikes Solomon Islands At least 12 people have died in the Solomon Islands after a tsunami swept ashore following a strong undersea earthquake in the South Pacific.

* Iran, Syria, Hizbullah preparing for war Iran, Syria and Hizbullah are preparing their defenses for a war in the summer.

* Hamas Recruits Children to Terror Squads Via TV Programs A new Hamas video encourages the participation of children in terrorism and has been broadcast on Hamas TV.

* Thousands flee Somalia fighting Tens of thousands of people have fled the Somali capital, Mogadishu, after days of intense violence said to be the worst in 15 years, the UN has said.