* Israelis ‘seize Iran arms ship’ Israel’s navy has intercepted a ship carrying hundreds of tonnes of Iranian weapons intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon.

* Clinton: Settlements are illegitimate, should be halted forever Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton defended the U.S stance toward Israeli settlement building to worried Arab allies on Wednesday.

* Iran opposition protesters return to streets Opposition protesters returned to the streets of Tehran Wednesday for the first time in nearly two months.

* Merkel: Iranian threat to Israel threatens us all German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke before the US Congress on Tuesday and said that the Iranian threat to Israel was “a threat to the free world”.

* EU president: Names in the frame The European Union is close to deciding who will be appointed to a new post of president to chair EU summits and represent the bloc on the world stage.

* Erekat: Palestinian state may have to be abandoned Palestinians may have to abandon the goal of an independent state if Israel continues to expand Jewish settlements.

* UN debates divisive Gaza report The United Nations general assembly is deciding whether to endorse a controversial report alleging war crimes by Israel and Hamas.

* Missionary Event for Teenagers in Ashdod A missionary seminar was held for teenagers in Ashdod ten days ago, teaching them how to “witness” to their friends – in violation of Israeli law.

* State Dept’s Religious Report Under Attack Critical reactions to the U.S. State Department’s 2009 International Religious Freedoms Report’s section on Israel continue to be expressed.

* MEPs say incoming commissioners should be quizzed on economic crisis MEPs attending a first meeting of the European Parliament’s special committee on the financial and economic crisis on Wednesday.