Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Eighty prominent rabbis, led by former Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi and former Israeli Army Rabbi Shlomo Goren, formally call for the construction of a Third Temple on the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount); state survey maps drawn up by Israeli army engineers in 1967 indicate the ideal place for synagogue is on the site of the Dome of the Rock Mosque [NYT 8/6; FJ 8/8].
Arab World: Jordanian Prime Minister Zayd al-Rifa'i announces Jordan has drawn up $1.3 billion 5-year development plan for the occupied territories [FJ 8/8]. U.S. V.P. Bush ends Middle East tour [NYT 8/7].
Other Countries: U.S. Justice Department withdraws subpoenas issued to Israeli officials in investigation of illegal export of U.S. cluster bomb technology to Israel, after Israeli government promised to cooperate in investigation [NYT 8/6].