The Thursday afternoon edition of the freebie newspaper "Israeli" was never distributed, nor was the Sunday morning edition printed either.

Publisher Hirsch Media said late last week that it will be reducing the printing to once a day, and that on Sunday (today) it might not print one at all, depending on the court?s ruling.

The paper is handed out for free at bus and train stations, and at some intersections.

Israeli's owners Sheldon Adelson and Shlom Ben-Zvi failed to settle their differences last week. The court suggested they appoint an arbitrator, whose mandate would be to reach a decision within days.

Hirsch Media, owned by businessman Shlomo Ben-Zvi, had run out of the wherewithal to finance the paper, and Adelson's NewsCo had completely pulled the plug - from January 1 -  after accusing Ben-Zvi of lifting money from Israeli to finance other newspapers he publishes.

Hirsch Media also publishes Makor Rishon and Hatsofe, both of which are identified with the religious community.

Adelson had founded Israeli together with Ben-Zvi. But several months ago, a legal dispute broke out: Adelson claimed that Hirsch Media had been skimming income from Israeli to help finance its other publications.

He asked that a special manager be named. The court agreed, but Adelson's company Newsco then claimed that Hirsch Media was not cooperating with the manager, for instance by withholding documents. Adelson therefore cut off funding from January 1.

Israeli's workers have also sued for the company's liquidation.