A leading FIFA representative tried on Friday (2nd October) to defuse a row between Israel and Palestine.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

A Palestine proposal to throw Israel out of FIFA for obstructing the free movement of players and equipment was dropped at the FIFA Congress in May.

Instead, they settled for the establishment of a monitoring group led by South African businessman and human rights activist Tokyo Sexwale.

But a recent move to switch Palestine's forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia from home soil to neutral ground has caused anger in the region.

Palestine's FA has protested both to FIFA President Sepp Blatter and to Asian Football Association chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

Sheikh Salman was one of the three pivotal figures, along with Michel Platini and Kuwait's Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, who made the decision in favour of the Saudis.

Blatter has made it a priority to try and build lasting trust between Palestinian and Israeli officials.

To that end, Sexwale proposed a symbolic game between Israel and Palestine.

Tel Aviv, Israel. 2nd October, 2015.

1. 00:00 Chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel and Palestine, Tokyo Sexwale, walking in corridor.

2. 00:13 Sexwale walking into press room.

3. 00:21 Cameraman.

4. 00:24 SOUNDBITE (English): Tokyo Sexwale, Chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee, Israel & Palestine

(Is he still considering running for FIFA president?) "I have issued a statement when the rumours started following the meeting with the FIFA draw in St. Petersburg. But I will apply my mind. There is a still a deadline I think it ends on the 26th of this month? Yes. But we still have some days and I am sure that in the right time I will make a pronouncement."

5. 00:53 Cameraman.

6. 00:57 SOUNDBITE (English): Tokyo Sexwale, Chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee, Israel and Palestine:

(How does he think FIFA was damaged by the criminal investigation opened into Sepp Blatter?) "I think for the purpose of this meeting I would like refrain from talking about the problems of FIFA. They are there, you know them and there will be relevant people to deal with that. But one hopes that at the end of the day for the sake of football again as it is played by small children in the dusty bowls of Chad or outside of the earthquake of Nepal, as it is played by Messi and Ronaldo, I hope that in the interest of the beautiful game FIFA will find a resolution to it's problems. I have opinions, very strong ones, but I don't think this press conference is for that."

7. 01:44 Cameraman.

8. 01:49 SOUNDBITE (English): Tokyo Sexwale, Chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee, Israel and Palestine:

"This is our meeting number one. We are all engaged and I find that all parties are interested in finding solutions that will make the play an enjoyment of football to be fulfilled. The question we are still going to be discussing is the one of the territories, and we are mindful that that question if resolution, belongs to political authorities, both here in Israel and elsewhere because this question has been internationalised. But I want to make it very clear, it is not a FIFA issue it is not our problem sitting inside this meeting, but it is a problem that is confronting football, and we have to come to a resolution of that problem, advising the relevant political authorities both here in Israel and elsewhere, to assist us in resolution of that problem."

9. 02:55 Cameraman.

10. 02:57 SOUNDBITE (English): Tokyo Sexwale, Chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee, Israel and Palestine:

"I proposed the meeting between the national team of Israel and the national team of Palestine to take place in South Africa. It is my proposal - not at today's meeting, but I proposed it at our meeting in Zurich, what we call the kick off meeting that was chaired by Mr. Blatter. So I hope that when all is said and done, there will be that kind of game because we had used football quite a lot in other situations to bring friendship and peace among people."

11. 03:34 Sexwale, Ofer Eini, head of the Israeli Football Association and Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association.

On a hot, dusty road in southern Israel, the band of international cyclists are raring to go.

They are presenting a new course called the "Middle East Peace Tour" - a cycling event planned for next year.

The course will take participants through Jordan, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt.

Event organiser, former professional cyclist Gerhard Schonbacher, says that he came up with the idea four years ago.

"I had been asked to organise race in Israel and after one week I had a good look at the map of Middle East and I was always interested in the Middle East," he explains.

"So I was very excited and I said 'well why don't we make a race in the Middle East'. And I made a drawing on the map and I said, 'well Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Palestine will be great to have in the course'. And that's what it is now."

The cyclists will ride from Amman, with three days in Jordan, one in Egypt and three days in Israel and the West Bank where, after seven days, they will finish in Jerusalem.

Schonbacher is confident that the event will be popular with enthusiasts from around the world.

"For the first year will be limited to four to five hundred and we will promote the race world wide. And we will bring in at least riders from each continent around the world to the Middle East."

The hope is that with such an international team, the event can be used to promote peace in the region.

"Sport is a good voice for peace and we transfer, transport this through the sports people," say Schonbacher.

And if the reaction of those on the presentation course is anything to go by, it seems the event is likely to be a success.

"It is a great opportunity to be in a different environment, meet different people and see some different cultures and that's great to be here," says Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten.

Van Vleuten and the team have been testing the route, travelling each part by both car and bicycle.

"This is a pre-event for the big ride that we plan for next year, in 2018. We're doing the entire route, mostly in vehicles and we ride on bicycles in stages," explains Israeli cyclist Ido Eindor.

"Today we rode from Tzichor (south Israel) Junction and arrived here in Mitzpe Ramon, about 60 kilometres (37 miles) with a few challenging climbs."

When it kicks off, the seven-day race will take in historical sites such as Petra and Aqaba on the Read Sea, the group said on its website.

Southern Israel - 27 April 2017

1. Cyclists starting bicycle ride, people holding sign reading (English) "Middle East Peace Tour"

2. Cyclists on road, street sign reading (English/Hebrew/Arabic) "Mizpe Ramon 60, Beer Sheva 142"

3. Various of cyclists on road

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Gerhard Schonbacher, event organiser:

"Four years ago I had been asked to organise race in Israel and after one week I had a good look at the map of Middle East and I was always interested in the Middle East and read a lot of books about history and religion and everything. So I was very excited and I said 'well why don't we make a race in the Middle East'. And I made a drawing on the map and I said, 'well Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Palestine will be great to have in the course'. And that's what it is now, we are presenting the course from 2018, start in Amman, three days in Jordan, one day in Egypt and three days (in) Israel and Palestine and we finish in Jerusalem after seven days."

5. Various of cyclists on road

6. Cyclists arriving at Mizpe Ramon, people cheering

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Gerhard Schonbacher, event organiser:

"(We are) expecting about 400 riders, for the first year will be limited to four to five hundred and we will promote the race worldwide. And we will bring in at least riders from each continent around the world to the Middle East, and sport is a good voice for peace and we transfer, transport this through the sports people."

8. Various of cyclists getting ready next to bus

9. Woman holding banner

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Annemiek van Vleuten, Dutch cyclist:

"We are just at the pre-event. So I was invited to join this pre-event and I think for me one of the goals I like (while) cycling is to see something more from the roads, so it is a great opportunity to be in a different environment, meet different people and see some different cultures and that's great to be here."

11. Various of cyclists taking pictures

12. Cyclist taking picture of man playing accordion under Israeli flag

13. Cyclists talking to each other

14. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Ido Eindor, Israeli cyclist:

"This is a pre-event for the big ride that we plan for next year, in 2018. We're doing the entire route, mostly in vehicles and we ride on bicycles in stages. Today we rode from Tzichor (south Israel) Junction and arrived here in Mitzpe Ramon, about 60 kilometres (37 miles) with a few challenging climbs."

15. Various of cyclists posing for group photo

LEADIN:

Cyclists are promoting a new multinational race route through the Middle East for an event planned for 2018.

The journey will cover Jordan, Egypt, Israel and the West Bank.

SHOTLIST: Jerusalem, Israel - 1st March 2013

1. 00:00 Zoom in of runners starting to run

2. 00:17 Mid of people watching

3. 00:20 Zoom out of runners running

4. 00:28 Mid of runners stretching ahead of race

5. 00:34 Mid of runners from United States

6. 00:41 SOUNDBITE (English) name not given, runners from the United States:

"No it's not difficult to run, my knees are still very good, we also bicycle across the USA"

7. 00:50 Various of runners getting ready

8. 00:56 Mid of competitors near the knesset

Jerusalem - 28 February 2013

4. 01:06 Wide shot of presser

5. 01:12 SOUNDBITE (English) Nir Barkat, Jerusalem mayor:

"Sports in General gets people together, indeed we believe that sports and culture specially in a city like Jerusalem gets more people focusing on the common denominator, and getting people to love each other and to have more peaceful life together"

Birzeit village, West Bank - 28 February 2013

5. 01:31 Establisher shot of Fatah international commission member Father Manuel Mussallam

6. 01:37 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Father Manuel Mussallam, Fatah international commission member:

"We Palestinians, all Palestinians are afraid of one important thing, it is that many countries support Israel in their belief that Jerusalem is Jewish or Zionist and that it is owned by Israel. And those groups that come from outside give us the impression that we lost Jerusalem. That's why we Palestinians, Christians and Muslims, are against this position."

7. 02:13 Close up of cross

8. 02:18 End shot of Father Manuel Mussallam

SOURCE: SNTV

STORYLINE:

The Jerusalem Marathon took place on Friday (1st March) - amid a number of objections about the course of the race.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

It's the crown jewel of Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat's ambitious grand plan to promote his ancient city: a scenic, world-class marathon winding through historic hills and religious sites.

But like many things in Jerusalem, even Friday's marathon has become fraught with politics, a magnet for opposing claims by Israelis and Palestinians.

The Palestinians have called for a boycott of the race because the route goes through east Jerusalem, their hoped-for capital. On the other side of the political divide, a hard-line Israeli lawmaker plans to run the course to assert Israeli sovereignty over the entire city.

The competing claims, even over a seemingly innocuous sporting event, reflect the deep emotions over Jerusalem.

Israel captured east Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 Mideast war and considers the whole city its capital, though the claim is not recognized internationally. The Palestinians say there cannot be peace without shared sovereignty in east Jerusalem.

The fate of the area, and particularly the ancient Old City, which is home to sensitive Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites, has long been the most explosive issue in peace efforts.

Since taking office 4 1/2 years ago, Barkat has looked to unite the city's Arab and Jewish residents by linking them with a light rail system and hosting sporting and cultural events.

"We believe that sports and culture specially in a city like Jerusalem gets more people focusing on the common denominator, and getting people to love each other and to have more peaceful life together" Barkat said during a press conference a day before the marathon.

Some 20,000 participants are expected to run in the third annual Jerusalem marathon, which will include a full marathon, which is 42 kilometers (26.2 miles), a half marathon and two shorter races. The event has attracted dozens of Arab residents and more than 1,750 runners from 54 countries.

The finish line at Jerusalem's main park has been adorned with flags and banners from the many sponsors. For the Palestinians, though, the event marks a provocation.

"This marathon is part and parcel of other Israeli policies and practices in Jerusalem that are aimed at exerting Israeli control over the occupied city and isolate it from the rest of Palestine," the Palestine Liberation Organization said in a statement. "Sponsoring or participating in the marathon implies recognition and active participation by the individual or company in Israel's illegal annexation and racist policies in Jerusalem."

"We Palestinians, all Palestinians are afraid of one important thing, it is that many countries support Israel in their belief that Jerusalem is Jewish or Zionist and that it is owned by Israel. And those groups that come from outside give us the impression that we lost Jerusalem" said Father Manuel Mussallam, Fatah international commission member.

"That's why we Palestinians, Christians and Muslims, are against this position." added Father Mussallam

SOURCE: SNTV.

RESTRICTIONS: SNTV clients only. Scheduled news programmes only. Use within 14 days. If interested in archive use after 14 days please contact www.aparchive.com. Internet use only for SNTV clients with digital rights licensed in their contract. If you wish to obtain a license then please contact Elizabeth Eastham (eeastham@sntv.com).

DURATION: 2:18

STORYLINE:

Palestinian judoka Maher Abu Ramila spoke on Wednesday (June 20) about his determination to impress, having qualified for the London 2012 Olympics.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Of the five Palestinian athletes who have qualified for the London 2012 Olympics, judoka competitor Maher Abu Ramila is the standout athlete.

Whilst his compatriots have all been handed berths as a 'gesture' by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Abu Ramila qualified for the games on merit, after beating several judo champions.

The father-of-two impressed at the World Judo Championships in Tokyo in 2010 and came through his first round encounter with ease before a narrow loss in the second round.

His successful performance in Tokyo was recognised by the International Olympic Committee who awarded him a place in the London 2012 games after he amassed the necessary qualification total.

Abu Ramila told of his 'dream come true' ahead of his trip to London, and is targeting a place in the final four.

The other representatives for Palestine include a 400-metre runner; an 800-metre runner; and two 50-metre freestyle swimmers.

The Palestinians first participated in Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996 after they were invited by the IOC.

SHOTLIST: Jerusalem, Israel. 20 June 2012.

1. 00:00 Wide of town centre in Jerusalem

2. 00:05 Close-up of people walking in the streets

3. 00:11 Wide of people in the streets

4. 00:17 Exterior of Al-Quds Club

5. 00:22 Various of martial arts training

6. 00:33 Close-up of Maher Abu Ramila, Palestinian judoka

7. 00:39 Close-up of two competitors

8. 00:43 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Maher Abu Ramila, Palestinian judoka:

"It's a huge dream which came true, like any player that wishes to reach the Olympics. I hope I will be a good ambassador for the state of Palestine in the Olympics and to raise the Palestinian flag like any other country in all the world forums."

9. 00:57 Various of martial arts training

10. 01:23 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Maher Abu Ramila, Palestinian judoka:

"Hopefully I will make a huge effort to reach the Golden square, the first four, because there's nothing impossible, as I won at the World Championship against a player from Hong Kong. I wish I will reach to the finals, the first four."

11. 01:39 Various of training

12. 01:54 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Eyad Halabi, trainer:

"Maher got the points which qualified him for the Olympics. We were surprised, we did not expect Maher to be qualified without a white card. We wish him success, and hopefully he will get good results."

13. 02:10 Various of training

SOURCE: SNTV.

Nineteen year-old Dean Kremer, the first Israel citizen to be selected in Major League Baseball's player draft, talks to SNTV about his fledgling career.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Teenager Dean Kremer is the golden boy of Israeli baseball, the first citizen to be selected in the Major League draft and the country's greatest hope of lifting the sport out of its long-time second-class status.

Though he was born and raised in Stockton, California, to Israeli parents, Kramer identifies as Israeli, spends his summers in the Jewish State and is fluent in Hebrew.

He's the pin-up athlete of Israel's national team and sent local pride skyrocketing in June when the San Diego Padres selected him in the 38th round of the Major League Baseball draft.

"(I'm) definitely honoured," he said on Sunday, when SNTV caught up with the 6-foot 2-inch (1.88 metres) pitcher at an Israeli team practice session in Tel Aviv. "I like to represent my country in any way possible."

Baseball has historically been the most popular sport among American Jews and there are currently about 15 playing in the major leagues, including All-Stars Ryan Braun and Ian Kinsler.

But in sports-mad Israel, soccer and basketball reign supreme and baseball is still mostly a curiosity.

For decades, it has been the domain of a small but loyal group of ex-patriots and has failed to catch on with the rough-and-tumble 'sabras' (Jews born in Israel - or before 1948 in Palestine) who, when it came to imported American sports, took more of a liking to the hard-hitting nature of the NFL (National Football League).

In 2007, a group of American supporters launched the Israel Baseball League, a professional league comprised almost entirely of foreign players - that folded after just one season.

Then in 2012, Israel fielded a qualifying team for the World Baseball Classic which was similarly staffed by top-notch American Jews, who were eligible to play for it under a controversial 'heritage' clause.

That team was managed by Brad Ausmus of the Detroit Tigers and included former All-Star Shawn Green, recently waived Oakland A's slugger Nate Freiman and Joc Pederson, a Los Angeles Dodgers rookie who made this year's National League All-Star team and finished second in the Home Run Derby.

But Kremer, who is due to enrol at the University of Nevada Las Vegas on a baseball scholarship this autumn, has deeper roots in Israel.

He's been part of the national baseball development programme since he was 14 and grew up speaking Hebrew at home.

The sport has made great strides since the arrival two years ago of Nate Fish as the Israel Association of Baseball's first paid full-time national director.

Fish said there are currently about 800 players in Israel in all age groups and he's hopeful that some will go on to play college ball in the (United) States.

"It's tough to say what is going to happen with the guy (Kremer)," Fish said. "But he has all of the things that you need to be successful at that level and get into the major leagues."

Fish, who played his own college ball at the University of Cincinnati, alongside future All-Star Kevin Youkilis, added that Kremer would have been a much higher pick had he not already committed to UNLV.

He said Kremer's selection means a lot to the status of baseball in Israel and he envisions a bright future for his current teammate in Team Israel, the 22nd-ranked squad in the world.

Kremer, a 'righty' (right-hander) who also throws a slider, curve and splitter, gets the most attention in Israel for his 'heater'.

The fastballs of the best local pitchers top out in the mid-80s in terms of miles per hour (mph).

According to his manager, Richard Kania, Kremer "touches the low-90s". Children line the gates to watch him warm-up, and are put in a state of awe by the sound of his fastball snapping against the catcher's mitt.

Kremer himself seems to be enjoying the ride, bilingually joking around with veteran teammates and also giving tips to aspiring youngsters.

"I did get a lot of questions from the kids throughout the camp in the past two weeks, asking me questions about the draft and asking me how to get better," he said. "I feel like watching my progress will help inspire them."

Tel Aviv, Israel. 19th July 2015

1. 00:00 Mid shot of Dean Kremer, pan down to Kremer gripping a ball

2. 00:06 Ground shot of Kremer pitching

3. 00:09 Close up Israeli flag on Kremer's shirt sleeve

4. 00:11 Mid shot of Kremer watching practice and speaking in Hebrew

5. 00:17 Wide shot of team warming up for practice, pan down

6. 00:21 Mid shot Kremer pitching

7. 00:24 Cutaway sign reading "Home" and "do not hit balls into the fence" in English and Hebrew

8. 00:27 SOUNDBITE (English) Dean Kremer:

"Definitely honoured. I like to represent my country in any way possible and it's definitely unreal."

9. 00:38 Mid shot Kremer, pull out to team stretching

10. 00:44 SOUNDBITE (English) Nate Fish, National Director, Israel Association of Baseball:

"You know, it's tough to say what is going to happen with the guy, but he has all of the things that you need to be successful at that level and get to the major leagues."

11. 00:52 Mid shot Kremer warming up

12. 00:55 Wide shot of team warming up

13. 00:59 Mid shot players sorting out baseballs

14. 01:02 Mid shot of Kremer pitching

15. 01:06 Wide shot of team practicing

16. 01:10 Wide shot of Dean Kremer throwing

17. 01:12 Close up of gym bag with Israeli flag

18. 01:15 SOUNDBITE (English) Dean Kremer:

"I did get a lot of questions from the kids throughout the camp in the past two weeks, asking me questions about the draft and asking me how to get better and I feel like watching my progress will help inspire them."

14. 01:27 Low shot of Kremer pitching

15. 01:31 Various of Kremer throwing and pitching

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 01:43

Shurat HaDin-Israel Law Centre asks FIFA to expel Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian football Association, Jibril Rajoub, for "violating FIFA's statutes."

.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

An Israel-based rights organisation urged FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Tuesday (26th May) to expel the head of the Palestinian football Association, Jibril Rajoub, for "violating FIFA's statutes."

Nitsana Darshan-Leitner the founder of Shurat HaDin, said Rajoub should not be a representative who has access to FIFA.

Earlier this week Rajoub said that he is pressing ahead with his bid to oust Israel from FIFA despite efforts from its President, Sepp Blatter, to defuse the crisis.

Blatter was recently in the region on a self-described "mission of peace" to resolve tensions between the two sides.

Palestinians say Israeli security restrictions are limiting the movement of Palestinian players, visiting teams and equipment and have put forward a proposal to suspend Israel from world soccer at the 209-nation FIFA meeting on 29th May.

Blatter opposes the suspension vote, saying Israel has not broken FIFA statutes in a political issue outside of soccer's control.

Tel Aviv, Israel. 26th May, 2015.

1. 00.00 Wide shot of Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, an attorney, and the founder of Shurat HaDin Israeli Law Centre, walking into office.

2. 00.16 Close-up of sign on door reading (Hebrew, English) "Shurat Hadin, Israel law centre".

3. 00.21 SOUNDBITE: (English) Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, attorney and founder of Shurat HaDin Israeli Law Centre:

"What we are asking FIFA to do is to expel this person (Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestine Football Association), because FIFA has regulations, they have statutes which prohibit discrimination, prohibit violence and therefore if they want to apply these rules, Jibril Rajoub should not be a representative who has access to FIFA."

4. 00.41 Darshan-Leitner working.

5. 00.47 SOUNDBITE: (English) Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, attorney and founder of Shurat HaDin Israeli Law Centre:

"Jibril Rajoub is a person that for many years incited to kill Israelis, that was involved with endorsing terrorist with calling to enticement against Israelis. He called (for) Jihad against Israelis, even said that the fight between Israel and the Palestinians have to be fought with all means, even if the Palestinians had nuclear weapon, they would have used it against Israel. He has been serving as a deputy secretary of the Fatah, which is a terror organisation, a terror organisation that was involved in the Munich Massacre in 1972, killed 11 Israelis, and since then have been involved with many other terror attacks, many Israelis got killed and injured. And he is the head of the Palestinian football authority which is a member in FIFA."

6. 01.42 End shot of Darshan-Leitner at office.

SOURCE: SNTV.

DURATION: 01:49.

SHOTLIST:

Jerusalem, Israel - 4th August 2013

1. 00:00 Lionel Messi off team bus

2. 00:04 Various players off bus, including Andres Iniesta and Neymar

3. 00:17 Wide pan of players posing for photograph

4. 00:28 Players prepare written notes

5. 00:31 Close up of Messi at Western Wall

6. 00:40 Close up of Gerard Pique at wall

7. 00:43 Pull out from Pique to players at wall

8. 00:56 Various of players boarding bus

9. 01:13 Wide of photocall with Shimon Peres and Benjamin Netanyahu

10. 01:18 Peres and Netanyahu presented with Barcelona shirts

11. 01:22 SOUNDBITE: (English), Sandro Rosell:

"Children from Israel and children from Palestine they both - the majority of them - both they are cheering and supporting Barcelona."

12. 01:25 Wide of singer

13. 01:40 SOUNDBITE (English) Israeli President Shimon Peres: "Iniesta, Xavi, and Messi can teach us and the Palestinians to play tiki taka so we can score the goal we hope, the goal of peace."

14. 02:01 Netanyahu standing next to Peres kicking a football

STORYLINE:

Barcelona players visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem and met with Israeli leaders on the second day of their 'Peace Tour' on Sunday (4th August).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

After visiting the Church of Natvity in Bethlehem on Saturday, the Barcelona squad travelled to Jerusalem on Sunday.

There, they visited the Western Wall, a Jewish holy site.

Wearing yarmulkes, the traditional Jewish skullcap, the players placed slips of papres containing written prayers into the cracks of the wall.

Afterwards, the players met with Israel President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

SHOTLIST

1. Tilt down from Notre Dame cathedral to marathon runners posing for photos before race

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Archbishop Antonio Franco, Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine:

"It is a sports competition that wants to give also a message to all of us that we have to work together to build peace."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Zalman Adler, Marathon participant:

"This is a peace event in Jerusalem and Palestinians have come here, Italians are here, it''s an act of brotherhood and we are happy everybody is here."

4. Palestinian and Israeli runners shaking hands

5. SOUNDBITE (English) George Michael, Palestinian participant:

"I hope that everything will be ok, no problems... we can run easily from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. So, welcome all to Bethlehem."

6. Representatives of delegations holding marathon torch

7. Wide shot of marathon beginning

8. Various of runners running route of marathon

STORYLINE

Israeli and Palestinian runners took part in the third annual Peace Marathon between Jerusalem and the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Thursday.

Six Italians also participated in the event, dedicating the race to the memory of the late Pope John Paul II.

Bishop Antonio Franco, the Vatican''s representative to Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, said the occasion was also meant to remind people to work together to achieve peace in the region.

Before the race, Israeli and Palestinian runners shook hands and wished each other luck, before setting off down Jerusalem''s streets.

Just outside the city, Israeli runners handed the marathon torch and flag to the Palestinian contingent, who would carry it to Bethlehem.

SHOTLIST:

1. Ashrawi shaking hands with man and waving goodbye

2. Various of Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi and her entourage arguing with and being pushed around by Israeli police outside Orient House

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian legislator "They have used force, they will be using force, they used force earlier, that is not the issue. They use force, we use civil and civilised action. We are unarmed, we are civilians and we have the right to go to the Orient House. We are allowed to go anywhere we want in Palestine including Jerusalem."

4. More of Ashrawi being moved away from the area of Orient House and complaining of her treatment to journalists

5. Various of Ashrawi walking along street

6. Chanting protesters

7. Israeli police and soldiers pushing back protesters and media

8. Various of scuffles

9. Injured man being carried into car

10. Line of pro-peace Israeli protesters hold up banners "End the Occupation"

11. Israeli police walk by, one tears banner from protester

12. Various of protesters and police scuffling

13. Man being handcuffed and taken away by police

14. Police help fellow officer with head wound

15. Policeman hits Palestinian woman outside Orient House

16. Police take away young Palestinian man

17. Exterior Ambassador hotel

18. Wide of Hanan Ashrawi seated for news conference

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian legislator "I cannot overestimate the danger inherent in the latest Israeli moves particularly the moves enacted at the Orient House and Jerusalem institutions, Abu Dis in particular, as part of an overall policy by the Sharon government in order not only to undermine but totally destroy and negate the chances of peace."

20. Cutaway of news conference

STORYLINE:

Israeli police, some with guns drawn, have scuffled with demonstrators and legislators at the Palestinian Liberation Organisation's (PLO) headquarters in east Jerusalem, as Palestinians promised to reclaim the building Israel has taken over.

Israeli riot police in black ski masks raided the P-L-O headquarters on Friday, following the Jerusalem suicide bombing which killed 15 people.

The P-L-O compound, known as Orient House, was seen as the core of a future government complex.

Police barricaded access roads to the building and shoved demonstrators, including Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi and Mohammed Barakeh, an Arab Israeli lawmaker.

Despite Ashrawi's protestations that she had a right to free speech and to protest, Israeli police attempted to forcibly remove her from the area and scuffles between Ashrawi's minders and Israeli police ensued.

Dozens of protesters tried to march to the building, shouting "Jerusalem is our capital" before police chased them down the street.

Other protesters arrived later, including American and European activists.

Police ripped their signs, wrestled some to the ground and carried others away in headlocks.

A policeman with a bloodied face was taken away in an ambulance.

Earlier on Saturday, Ashrawi held a news conference at which she strongly condemned the Israeli occupation of Orient House, saying it was part of an overall policy by the Sharon government to destroy the chances of peace.

More than 560 people have been killed on the Palestinian side and more than 150 on the Israeli side since hostilities broke out in September.