ROAD BLOCKADE IN JERUSALEM

THERE IS A MASSIVE ROAD BLOCKADE EN ROUTE JERUSALEM AS AT PRESS TIME
High alert throughout Israel ahead of the winter storm approaching. After realizing the level of unpreparedness in Israel last year, municipalities called on citizens to prepare their homes for winter weather ahead of time as is customary in cold weather countries. The police are also preparing for the storm and have decided to block Highway 1 and Route 443, the main roads connecting between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, to traffic as soon as the snow begins to fall. The guidelines and preparations for the storm were primarily directed at residents of the cities who were hit the hardest during the last big winter storm in December 2013 – such as Jerusalem and Safed. Schools will be closed. Residents were recommended to prepare water bottles and basic foods that can last for up to three days. Municipalities also recommended residents to acquire emergency lights, back-up chargers for mobile phones, flashlights, a radio, batteries, ovens that do not require electricity and even recommended to those who can afford it to buy small generators for emergencies and an emergency extinguisher.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday night during a speech in which he presented the Likud's Knesset list that the Left could not protect Israel like the Right could. Netanyahu also announced plans to pass a bill that would prevent the toppling of the governing coalition in the middle of its term. The bill would ensure that the coalition and prime minister would rule for four years. Meanwhile MK Moshe Feiglin who failed to win a top spot in Likud primaries announced his departure from the Likud and said he he planned on starting a new party.
Moshe Kahlon added former Kiryat Shmona deputy mayor Yifat Sassa-Biton to his list, Kulanu. Sassa-Biton is the first female candidate on Kahlon's list. Born and raised in Kiryat Shmona, she is currently the vice president of the Ohalo College in Katzrin.
Journalist Sharon Gal announced that he was joining Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party, seeking a Knesset seat in the upcoming elections. Gal left Channel 10 about a year and a half ago following complaints of sexual harassment. Gal was also questioned by police in the matter, but the case was closed due to lack of evidence.
Management of the Pri Hagalil canning company announced that the plant would resume work on Monday, after the Labor court accepted the Workers Union's demands and ordered to reopen the factory.
MK Shimon Ohayon of Israel Beiteinu gave testimony to police at the anti-fraud unit's headquarters in Lod, in connection to the major corruption case involving several members of his party.
The Israel Prison Service approved the early release of Shula Zaken, Ehud Olmert's former aide who was sentenced to 11 months in prison for her role in the Holyland corruption scandal. She will be released at the end of the month.
President Reuven Rivlin harshly criticized the government's decision to freeze the transfer of tax money Israel collects for the Palestinians, saying in a meeting closed to the press that the decision was damaging Israeli interests.