Hebrew/Eng/Nat

The ruling Likud party in Israel has begun building more Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

And it has now announced the plan to construct new roads in the areas, prompting condemnation from Palestinians and left wing Israelis.

In the first indication of the new Israeli government's settlement policies, hard-line Infrastructure Minister Ariel Sharon ordered two new highways to be built in the West bank.

The plan calls for one road leading from the West Bank into northern Jerusalem and a second linking central Israel with Jewish settlements inside the West Bank, where some 140-thousand Jews live among 1-point-2 million Palestinians.

The plan, expected to cost about 50 (m) million dollars (U-S), was originally proposed under the previous Labour government, but was never carried out.

SOUNDBITE: Hebrew

We are working according to plan. I know that yesterday everyone got nervous. I don't why they got nervous.

SUPER CAPTION: Ariel Sharon, Minister for Infrastructure

The move has angered Palestinians who want to establish a state in the West bank and Gaza. They say expanding settlements violates the Israel-PLO peace accords and could bring the precarious peace process to a grinding halt.

On Tuesday the Palestinian Legislative Council held a special session to discuss the issue of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and around Jerusalem.

Palestinians predict violence and bloodshed.

SOUNDBITE:

When they are going to confiscate my future, my water, my land. What does this mean? It's a declaration of war and war means a bloodbath.

SUPER CAPTION: Freih Abu Medein, Palestinian Justice Minister.

Israel's past government curbed settlement construction, except around Jerusalem, in order to open the doors for peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

The Israel-PLO peace agreement says neither side will "initiate or take any step that will change the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip," pending the outcome of final status talks.

The Palestinians say that rules out new settlement construction or expansion.

Peace Now, a group that supports the Middle East peace process, warned against the dangers of Israel building more settlements in the West Bank and Gaza.

SOUNDBITE:

"There can be no doubt that the settlements have been always and

will be in the future an obstacle for any peace solution. The only solution that can exist between Israel and the Palestinians is to partition this land into two different sovereignties. The Palestinians will need a certain area where they will have their own sovereignty.

SUPER CAPTION: Mordechai Baron, Peace Now member

Sharon, a leader of the hardline right-wing faction in the governing Likud Party, oversaw a massive construction drive in the settlements when he was housing minister from 1990-1992.

Last year, as part of the Oslo peace accords and under the previous government, rural areas of the West Bank were passed to Palestinian control, while Israel maintained overall responsibility for security throughout most of the West Bank.

West Bank, Tel Aviv, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, 30th July 1996

Beit Jalah, West Bank

1. CU village/zoom out to GV construction of highway overpass

2. construction workers on road

3. bulldozers working on construction

4. by-pass road

Tel Aviv:

5. Infrastructure Minister Ariel Sharon at presser table

6. Minister Sharon showing new roads on map

7. Minister Sharon SOT (Hebrew)

Efrat, West Bank

8. various construction site

Bethlehem:

9. GV Manger Square, central Bethlehem

10. outside mosque

11. inside Palestinian Council meeting

12. various of members in meeting

13. laptop computer showing Jerusalem and area

14. Khalil Tufakji, Palestinian settlement expert, showing Israeli construction plans in the West Bank

15. GV Palestinian Council

16. SOUNDBITE: Freih Abu Modein, Minister of Justice

Jerusalem:

17. set up Mordechai Baron, Peace Now member

18. SOUNDBITE: Mordechai Baron

Efrat, West bank:

19. Israeli flag over settlement

20. construction

English/Nat

The World Bank's chief officer says he's confident that emergency aid programs for the West Bank and Gaza will move ahead, despite the recent violence between Palestinians and Israelis.

James Wolfensohn says he's personally involved in shepherding some 150 million dollars of World Bank funding to help boost the economy of the occupied territories.

But he admits the current crisis could hinder efforts to keep the money flowing on schedule.

Top World Bank officials are in Washington this week to report on the status of more than 22 billion dollars in loan programs approved over the next three years.

Among those efforts are some 90 million dollars in emergency aid targeted to the West Bank and Gaza, along with loans of more than 60 million dollars.

The Bank's president says its work with the new Palestinian Authority to manage the aid effort is on track, despite the current crisis.

SOUNDBITE:

I think our relations with the Palestinian Authority are extraordinarily strong. I personally speak to President Arafat with great regularity, and my colleagues speak with Mr. Nashashibi and others consistently. We have in this recent difficult period ourselves helped to create over 22,000 jobs in Gaza and West Bank. And we're moving ahead as vigorously as we can on a lot of other programs, including intermediating and working with the Israelis on industrial parks and on job creation activities in the territories.

SUPER CAPTION: James Wolfensohn - President, World Bank

But he does admit to some frustration over the impact of current political instability in the region, and its effect on those funding programs.

SOUNDBITE:

I'd have to say to you that obviously it's not going as fast as I would like... because of the political situation and the new government. But so far as we're concerned with the Palestinian Authority I think they would tell you that the cooperation is total. And I'm personally involved and deeply involved, as we all are, in trying to create economic opportunity in those areas.

SUPER CAPTION: James Wolfensohn - President, World Bank

A sizeable share of the Bank's aid money for the region comes via American funding pledges.

Those pledges are part of a U-S brokered promise of aid to bolster the Middle East peace process.

Washington D.C. - 27 September 1996

1. Wideshot World Bank news conference.

2. Cutaway

3. SOUNDBITE: James Wolfensohn - President, World Bank

4. Cutaway

5. SOUNDBITE: James Wolfensohn - President, World Bank

6. Cutaway

7. Wideshot news conference.

Arabic/Eng/Nat

Plans for a major tourist resort with a casino are causing controversy in the West Bank town of Jericho.

When it opens this autumn, the hotel and casino complex could provide much-needed jobs for hundreds of Palestinians.

But local Islamic leaders are outraged at the idea.

While the arguments rage, the building is being completed and the gambling staff are being trained - behind closed doors.

Here in the West Bank town of Jericho the curtains are tightly drawn at this local restaurant.

That's to hide what's going on inside.

Many in this Muslim town would consider it a shameful secret -- young Palestinians are training to deal blackjack and spin roulette wheels.

These croupiers are to go and work this autumn in a luxury casino and hotel.

It's being built in the desert near biblical Jericho and just across the road from the mud-brick huts of the Aqabat Jaber refugee camp.

Yasser Arafat's government regards the 46 (m) million U-S dollars casino as an

important step on the Palestinians' long road from dependence on international handouts to prosperity.

They believe the Palestinians will have an economic future only if they can attract large numbers of tourists and develop a service industry.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)

"No doubt that the Casino will have his own clients that will pour money to the Palestinians, I understand that the other side (Israel) is happy about the project which means cooperation between both of us."

SUPER CAPTION: Mitri Abu Aita, Palestinian Minister of Tourism

But Islamic militants - led by the Hamas group, Arafat's most powerful political rival - say they will try to scuttle the project.

Gambling is "haram", or forbidden by Islam, they say.

Hamas fears that would lead to the dismantling of traditional Palestinian society.

Jericho's preacher and Hamas leader, Sheik Harb Jaber, has allowed members of his flock to do construction work at the site.

But he has said it is totally forbidden to seek employment in the casino itself.

SOUNDBITE:(Arabic)

"Those people that are claiming the casino will pour millions of dollars to the Palestinian people are lying and deceiving their people. This casino will only have a negative effect on the Palestinian people."

SUPER CAPTION: Sheikh Harb Jaber, Hamas leader and Jericho preacher

Already, the project has proved to be a boon for nearby Aqabat Jaber, a camp of 4,000 people and few jobs.

Every morning, workers from the camp trudge across the road to the construction site.

Others stream in from Jericho and other West Bank towns.

Those less lucky sit near the camp's main square, pondering whether it is more important to feed a family or observe the edicts of Islam.

Nabil Yaghi, the owner of a grocery store is one of them.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)

"We are not in need of such a project, first it's immoral, and no one will benefit from the people, people have no money to eat."

SUPER CAPTION: Nabil Yaghi, Refugee and shopkeeper

Instructors from Britain, Denmark and elsewhere were brought in by the main casino company.

It's an international company running a number of casinos and related businesses.

Palestinian investors and Arafat's Palestinian Authority are junior partners in the Jericho

project.

The General Director of the project, Alexander Tucek, insists that if it's a success, then everyone will benefit.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"To be successful, I think that is the name of the game in the business is that you want to have a successful business which gives profit to the people that invest the money, or give profit to the people living here and gives profit to the people joining them in the resort, having a successful project is that we expect here, we believe in it."

SUPER CAPTION: Alexander Tucek, General Director of Casino Project

Most Israelis are reluctant to enter Palestinian-governed areas, fearing attacks by Islamic radicals.

However, the lure of slot-machines is powerful, especially now that the casinos in Turkey, once a popular destination for Israeli gamblers, have shut down.

Jericho and Bethlehem, West Bank, August 18th-19th 1998

Jericho, West Bank, August 18th

1. Exterior of Seven Trees Restaurant

2. Pan of training hall with curtains down

3. Trainee moving curtain

4. Shot through window of trainees in hall

5. Long shot of Casino then pulls out to nearby Aqbat Jaber Refugee camp

6. Construction at Casino site pan to building

7. Bulldozer working outside building

8. Workers at site

9. Workers at ladder

Bethlehem, West Bank, August 19th

10. Establishing shot of Palestinian Minister of Tourism, Mitri Abu Aita

11. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Mitri Abu Aita, Palestinian Minister of Tourism

Jericho, West Bank, August 18th

12. Various of streets in Jericho

13. Women walking

14. Establishing shot of Harb Jaber, Hamas leader and Jericho preacher

15. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Sheikh Harb Jaber, Hamas leader and Jericho preacher

16. Palestinian children playing inside the camp, pulls out to wide of camp

17. Palestinian women walking in camp

18. Establishing shot of Nabil Yaghi, refugee and shopkeeper

19. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Nabil Yaghi, refugee and shopkeeper

20. Establishing shot of Casino project manager

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Alexander Tucek, General Director of Casino Project

22. Bulldozer working

23. Workers at site

24. Long shot of Casino

English/Nat

Palestinians have taken another step along the road to peace and democracy by taking part in the first election for their own assembly and President.

With only one contender, Yasser Arafat is virtually guaranteed the top post and his followers in the Fatah faction are likely to dominate the new 88-seat legislative council.

Palestinians in the West Bank town of Ramallah cast ballots for their first elected government on Saturday - a defining step in the decades-long battle to live under their own rule.

International monitors oversaw polling to ensure voting was fair.

The voters received two ballot papers, one red for the presidency and a white one for the legislative council.

In a cardboard voting booth, they had their first dose of democracy, casting their votes for a president and for the new legislative council.

The red box was the presidential votes - P-L-O Leader Yasser Arafat is virtually guaranteed this position with only token opposition and the white box was for the legislative council.

SOUNDBITE:

"Well, it's a great day for the Palestinian voter because we feel we have - at last - our freedom and it's a good feeling, really."

SUPER CAPTION: Suheil Samandu, Palestinian Voter

In the West Bank town of Hebron, turnout was light.

The continued presence of Israeli soldiers in Hebron to guard Jewish settlers has undercut support for Arafat in the city, the only West Bank town still under Israeli control.

Foreign observers protested to Israeli authorities that Israeli soldiers violated election procedures by walking near the polling place outside the Tomb of the Patriarchs.

In a symbol of the new era of peace which is dawning on the region, these marchers banged the drum of peace and prayed for safe elections.

They spent the last three days marching to Hebron from Jenin in the north of the West Bank.

In Abu-Dis, a village in East Jerusalem, former U-S President Jimmy Carter, arrived to help oversee the elections.

He leads the 40-member international observer team.

Carter accused Israeli police of intimidating Palestinians with a massive police presence and by filming voters, claiming they were trying to reduce the size of the Palestinian vote in Jerusalem.

Amongst those casting their votes in Abu-Dis was Abu Ala who is standing as a candidate for the Palestinian Legislative Council.

SOUNDBITE:

"We are committed to the agreement and we will implement the agreement. I hope that the Israelis will implement the agreement and, as for example, in the prisoners part."

SUPER CAPTION: Abu Ala, Palestinian Council Candidate

The main focal point of tensions was Jerusalem, where Israelis still rule although around five-thousand Palestinians there are able to vote.

Security was high outside this post office, which was being used as a polling station, but there only appeared to be minor hiccups.

Thousands of Israeli troops were in the streets, fearing attacks from both Jewish militants and Islamic extremists opposed to the peace process.

Major Islamic and leftist groups have boycotted this election, in which there were more than one (m) million eligible voters.

20 January 1996

Ramallah, West Bank

1. Exterior polling station

2. International monitor checking the ballot boxes are sealed

3. Various shots of people voting

4. Egyptian monitor

5. SOUNDBITE: Suheil Samandu, Palestinian Voter

Hebron, West Bank

6. Jewish boy chatting with Israeli soldier, zoom into Palestinians

7. Top pan: security

8. Voter holding up campaign literature

9. Palestinians voting

10. Jewish boys, tilt up to soldiers

11. Marchers for peace sitting down - praying for elections to go ahead peacefully

Abu-Dis, village in East Jerusalem

12. Wide shot of Abu-Dis

13. Various shots: Jimmy Carter arriving at polling station

14. Various shots: Abu Ala

15. SOUNDBITE: Abu Ala, Palestinian Candidate

East Jerusalem

16. Exterior post office polling station

17. Various shots: inside polling station

18. Various shots: security outside

English/Nat

On the eve of the first Palestinian elections, security measures have been stepped up Palestinian police have been deployed at over one-thousand polling stations to prevent any tampering with the ballot boxes.

Meanwhile Israel has ordered its citizens out of P-L-O-ruled areas to avert any possible violence.

With the arrival of the ballot boxes, democracy is being delivered to the West Bank.

This weekend's elections are likely to mark the climax of P-L-O leader Yasser Arafat's transition from an outcast terrorist to a democratic leader.

Palestinian police completed their deployment at 11-hundred polling stations in rural areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Friday.

The officers have been positioned to guard the boxes and to prevent vote tampering.

The polls open at seven o' clock (0500 GMT) Saturday morning and will remain open for 12 hours.

Palestinian officials said they expected a turnout of around 80 percent of the electorate - over a (m) million of whom have registered to vote.

Meanwhile, police were removing election posters which have to come down by the end of Friday according to the rules.

The 704 candidates running for the Palestinian council had completed their campaigns by Friday morning.

Former U-S President Jimmy Carter is leading an international team of observers to oversee the elections.

SOUNDBITE:

"I'm here to learn about the election and about what might happen in the Palestinian area after the election's over and I want to get acquainted with the major candidates."

SUPER CAPTION: Jimmy Carter, Former US President/International Observer

As the elections near, so does fear of violence.

The Israeli army sealed off the West Bank and Gaza Strip, barring Palestinians from entering Israel.

Likewise, Israelis were ordered to stay out of P-L-O-ruled areas and Jewish settlers living there were asked to shut the gates to their settlements.

The Jerusalem police chief, Ari Amit, said he would deploy four-thousand officers in the city to prevent Israeli protestors from trying to disrupt voting.

SOUNDBITE:

"And the police force will be spread all over the area in order to make sure that there will be no disturbance - not from the right wing of the Israeli side and not from the Islamic parties who are against the elections on the other side. And, God forbid, to try to prevent any attempt to any terrorist action in Jerusalem."

SUPER CAPTION: Ari Amit, Jerusalem Police Chief

Forces have been deployed around polling stations like this post office in East Jerusalem.

International observers are also in the area to ensure fairness in the electoral process.

Yasser Arafat looks set to become the President of the Palestinian Authority - he has only one challenger, Samiha Khalil, a social activist.

West Bank and Gaza - 19 January 1995

Ramallah, West Bank

1. Various shots: ballot boxes unloaded from trucks

2. Various shots: ballot boxes laid out inside polling station with election officials

3. Poster which urges electorate to vote

4. Election officials in polling station

5. Exterior polling station

6. Palestinian police taking down election banners

Gaza

7. Various shots: Palestinian policemen outside polling station (posters still up)

8. Various shots: interior polling station

Ramallah, West Bank

9. Palestinian soldiers protecting Carter

10. SOUNDBITE: Carter (ENGLISH)

11. Palestinian soldier

Aran Checkpoint (between Jerusalem and Ramallah)

12. Tilt down from Israeli flag to checkpoint

13. Soldier questions driver

14. Close up: soldier with gun

Jerusalem:

15. Ari Amit, Jerusalem Police Chief, set up shot

16. SOUNDBITE: Amit (ENGLISH)

17. Various shots: soldiers and border police outside post office (polling station) in East Jerusalem

Gaza:

18. Australian election observers drive along

19. Observers signs on car

20. International Election Observers chatting

21. Close up: form

22. Observers drive away

English/Nat

Four Israeli telephone repairmen have been slightly injured by a bomb hidden in an olive grove in a West Bank village.

It was the first attack on Israelis inside the West Bank since right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu was elected as the country's new prime minister.

Military sources confirmed the attack near the West Bank village of Biddya.

The bomb was apparently triggered by a remote control device when four Israeli telephone company workers entered an olive grove to repair a telephone line.

The injured were taken to the Beilinson hospital in the Tel Aviv suburb of Petah Tikva.

Responsibility for the attack was not immediately claimed by any group, although a number of Palestinians were detained by Israeli police near the site.

A robot searched the area for more explosives.

Meanwhile in Jerusalem, negotiators from the Likud Party of Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu met for talks with its future partners, the religious party Shas.

Shas, representing religious Jews of Sephardi, or Middle Eastern, background, grew from six to ten seats in the new Israeli parliament, following the May 29th elections.

The head of Shas, Shlomo Benizri, said the party had no plans to make any changes to Israeli policy.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"No. I don't think that we're going to change anything. We're going to

keep the status quo that was signed in 1948. And we are going to keep it and continue with the status quo. And I think that everyone in Israel can live his usual life.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Shlomo Benizri, Head of Shas

There was no immediate comment on the bomb attack from Netanyahu who met with President Weizman on Monday.

Netanyahu's election campaign criticised Prime Minister Shimon Peres' peace policy, claiming it encouraged Islamic militants to carry out attacks on Israelis.

In February and March this year, Islamic militants carried out four suicide bombings which claimed 63 lives.

The incoming prime minister has pledged to improve Israel's security even if it amounts to renegotiating parts of the autonomy agreement with the Palestinians.

Biddya village, West Bank and Jerusalem, Israel, 3 June 1996

Biddya village, West Bank

1. CU village sign of Biddya pull out to police cars on road

2. Soldiers at site of the explosion

3. Police examining the area

4. Police directing traffic near site

5. Police arresting people at site

6. Group of arrested Palestinians at the site

7. Ambulances, pan to police and cars

8. MS village mosque, pull out to bomb site

9. Police robot seeking for more explosives

Knesset, Jerusalem

10. Negotiator at table, pan to Shlomo Benizri, head of Shas, shaking hands with Likud negotiators

11. Benizri at table

12. MS Likud negotiators

13. MS negotiators

14. Set up shot Benizri

15. SOUNDBITE: Shlomo Benizri

16. MS Benizri, pan to reporters

Jerusalem, Israel

17. Pan down flags to exterior of President's residence

18. Exterior President's residence

19. Netanyahu arriving

20. Cutaway cameraman

21. Netanyahu and Weizman shaking hands inside residence

22. MS Netanyahu and Weizman

English/Nat

Rallies were held on Saturday in several cities in the West Bank, some of them turned violent when police and protestors clashed.

In the West Bank city of Nablus Palestinian police fired bullets and tear gas to disperse Hamas students at a university rally, wounding at least 12 students, Palestinian sources said.

In Bethlehem, Palestinian police scuffled with Palestinian demonstrating against land confiscation intended for construction of the Bethlehem by-pass road.

Over one-thousand demonstrators in Bethlehem marched from the municipality towards the Israeli roadblock, intending to cross over to the Israeli side.

The demonstration against land confiscation intended for construction of the Bethlehem by-pass road turned violent when the Palestinian police scuffled with the participants.

The Palestinian police forcibly intervened, holding back the crowd before any confrontation with the Israelis was possible.

Meanwhile Palestinian security forces stormed a rally at the An-Najah university in Nablus, firing bullets in the air and tear gas before arresting students protesting arrests of suspected Hamas activists.

Israel's army radio said four students were injured. The tear gas cannisters were hurled inside the student union building.

Saturday's incident was the most serious this month between Palestinian police and Palestinian protestors demanding the release of suspected Islamic militants jailed in recent sweeps.

Meanwhile in Gaza, Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the P-L-O, met the President of the World Bank James Welvenson to discuss financial aid aimed at boosting the region's economy.

Arafat thanked the World Bank for the offered support.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"And the continuous help which have been offered directly from the World Bank and his help also to push many of the donors to continue their help to the Palestinian people."

SUPER CAPTION: Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the P-L-O

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We will do everything that we can in terms of the support of the Bank and the influence that we can excerpt over other donors to ensure that we have adequate and speedy of funds."

SUPER CAPTION: James Welvenson, President of the World Bank

Following the meeting with Welvenson, Yasser Arafat reiterated that the Palestinian Authority was during everything it could to combat fanatic terrorism.

1-6 Bethlehem, 8-12 Nablus, 13-19 Gaza, 30 March 1996.

1. Protesters marching

2. Holding signs

3. Wide demonstration, shouting slogans

4. Palestinian policemen

5. Pal police stopping demonstrators

6. Crowd pushing the policemen

7. Wide shot demonstration

8. Hamas member shouting slogans

9. Crowd at university

10. Crowd running around

11. Students running from tear gas (no pix of gas)

12. students covering their noses from the gas (various).

13. Arrival of cars

14. Arafat

15. James Welvenson

16. Arafat and Welvenson shaking hands

17. SOUNDBITE: Arafat

18. SOUNDBITE: Welvenson

19. Arafat and Welvenson leaving

English/Nat

It was a day of High rollers and high security in Jericho on Tuesday, as the West Bank's first casino opened to V-I-P guests.

The 50 m) million dollar Oasis casino, opened its doors to a select group of guests, one day before the general public is allowed in.

The casino, which is situated only a half-hour from Jerusalem, will eventually be joined by luxury hotels and golf courses.

It's hoped it will attract foreign tourists, Israelis, and Palestinians who live in Israel.

Security was tight outside Jericho on Tuesday, for the opening night of the West Bank's first casino.

Open to Israelis and Palestinians who live in Israel, the casino is hoping to raise a large tax revenue for Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority.

Arafat has come under fire from his Islamic opposition for allowing the casino to open.

Gambling is condemned under Islamic law, and as an appeasement to religious authorities Arafat has barred residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip from the casino.

The Casino owners say they hope that politics will be forgotten in the casino, and the opening night saw Arabs sitting happily alongside Israelis.

The gamblers themselves were ignoring the politics, keen to get on with their game.

SOUNDBITE: English)

"When you're playing in a casino, Politics don't matter. I saw it in Egypt when I was playing in the casino in Cairo after the signing of the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt and I saw that people from all over the middle east were sitting with Israelis and they didn't care and the same thing is going to happen here."

SUPER CAPTION: Gria Kashman, Gambler

Security was tight.

Before bettors could roll the dice or play a hand of blackjack, they were searched and scanned by metal detectors.

When the casino opens to the general public, gamblers will have to register their passport numbers.

The opening-night crowd quickly ballooned into the hundreds, with buses rolling in from Tel Aviv and a steady stream of cars.

SOUNDBITE: English)

"I think it might do something to the peace and will let Israelis come into this territory so maybe we'll have a go with the peace process. I think it's a great idea."

SUPER CAPTION: Riva, Gambler from Tel Aviv

Islamic fundamentalists, however, are railing against the casino as a den of iniquity.

The militant Islamic group Hamas stopped short of direct threats, but made clear its

displeasure saying they will be studying possible action.

The gala opening comes at a tense time. Hamas has threatened new attacks against Israeli targets following last week's killing of two of its top fugitives by Israeli

troops.

But even so, hundreds of Israelis made the trip.

SOUNDBITE: English)

"It was an adventure to come here and I hope it will help the Palestinians."

SUPER CAPTION: Noa, Gambler from Haifa

A little of the hoped-for grand-opening glitz was missing. Supermodel Claudia Schiffer, who was to have attended, cancelled at the last minute citing other obligations.

The Austrian operators of the Oasis say the casino is only the start of what will become the largest resort in the Middle East, with three luxury hotels, golf courses and

convention facilities planned - along with 5-thousand high-paying jobs for Palestinians.

And for the lucky few...big winnings.

SOUNDBITE: English)

"I just won!"

SUPER CAPTION: Noa, Gambler from Haifa

Jehrico, West Bank, September 15 1998

1. Gamblers getting off bus and entering Casino

2. Wide shot of security guard outside Casino

3. Panning wide shot of gaming floor

4. Mid shot, blackjack table

5. Close-up croupier shuffling cards

6. Various gamblers gambling

7. SOUNDBITE: English) Gria Kashman, Gambler

8. Tilt from ceiling to bar

9. Various mid shots of gambling

10. SOUNDBITE: English) Riva, Gambler from Tel Aviv

11. Various gambling.

12. SOUNDBITE: English) Noa, Gambler from Haifa

13. Gamblers on slot machines

14. SOUNDBITE: English) Noa, Gambler from Haifa

"I just won!"

Hebrew/Eng/Nat

In the first such attack since Benjamin Netanyahu's election victory, four Israeli telephone repairmen have been slightly injured by a bomb hidden in an olive grove in a West Bank village.

In Jerusalem Netanyahu, having promised to keep peace talks on track, is now negotiating with potential coalition partners.

He has called on party colleagues to stop speculating about which parties would be offered which portfolios in the new Government - saying this would confuse and damage negotiations.

Military sources confirmed the bomb attack near the West Bank village of Biddya - the first such attack since Benjamin Netanyahu was elected as the country's new Prime Minister.

The bomb was apparently triggered by a remote control device when four Israeli telephone company workers entered an olive grove to repair a telephone line.

The injured were taken to the Beilinson hospital in the Tel Aviv suburb of Petah Tikva.

Responsibility for the attack was not immediately claimed by any group, although a number of Palestinians were detained by Israeli police near the site.

A robot later searched the area for more explosives.

Meanwhile in Jerusalem, Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to negotiate with potential coalition partners.

Talks between the small right-wing parties and his Likud party have been continuing at Israel's parliament - the Knesset.

Netanyahu told reporters that he didn't think he'd be in a position to form a coalition before June 17th.

That is the date the Knesset returns from its spring recess.

He has also called on party colleagues to stop speculating about which parties would be offered which portfolios in the new Government - saying this would confuse and damage negotiations.

Netanyahu has pledged to keep peace talks on track.

SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew)

"I, as a first step talked with Arab leaders - actually the first step was taken by President Clinton when he called me and I made it clear that we will continue the search for peace and the continued negotiations for peace and contacts for peace with all our neighbours."

SUPER CAPTION: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister - Elect

Negotiators from Netanyahu's Likud Party have also met for talks with one of its possible future partners, the religious party Shas.

Shas, representing religious Jews of Sephardi, or Middle Eastern, background, grew from six to ten seats in the new Israeli parliament, following the May 29th elections.

The head of Shas, Shlomo Benizri, said the party had no plans to make any changes to Israeli policy.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"No. I don't think that we're going to change anything. We're going to

keep the status quo that was signed in 1948. And we are going to keep it and continue with the status quo. And I think that everyone in Israel can live his usual life."

SUPER CAPTION: Shlomo Benizri, Head of Shas party

Netanyahu made no official comment on the bomb attack or his coalition meetings so far as he met with Israeli President Ezer Weizman.

The incoming prime minister has pledged to improve Israel's security - even if it amounts to renegotiating parts of the autonomy agreement with the Palestinians.

After the euphoria of his election, Israel's new leader is grappling with his first Prime Ministerial problem.

Biddya village, West Bank and Jerusalem, Israel, 3 June 1996

Biddya village, West Bank

1. CU village sign of Biddya pull out to police cars on road

2. Soldiers at site of the explosion

3. Police examining the area

4. Police directing traffic near site

5. Police arresting people at site

6. Group of arrested Palestinians at the site

7. Ambulances, pan to police and cars

8. Police robot seeking for more explosives

Jerusalem, 3 June 1996

9. Netanyahu arriving

10. Netanyahu greets party rival David Levy

11. Various shots: Netanyahu at meeting of Likud, Gesher and Tsomet parliament members

12. Netanyahu toasts Likud's success

13. SOUNDBITE: Netanyahu (Hebrew)

14. Wide shot: news conference

15. Netanyahu walking

Knesset, Jerusalem

16. Negotiator at table, pan to Shlomo Benizri, head of Shas, shaking hands with Likud negotiators

17. Benizri at table

18. MS Likud negotiators

19. MS negotiators

20. Set up shot Benizri

21. SOUNDBITE: Shlomo Benizri

22. MS Benizri, pan to reporters

Jerusalem, Israel

23. Pan down flags to exterior of President's residence

24. Exterior President's residence

25. Netanyahu arriving

26. Cutaway cameraman

27. Netanyahu and Weizman shaking hands inside residence

English/Nat

Israel has partially lifted its blockade of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Its now allowing Palestinians to travel between Palestinian towns, but not to any settlements on Israeli soil.

And that partial ban has been condemned Tuesday by the newly-elected Palestinian Authority.

It claims the three-week-long ban has reduced medical and food stocks to dangerously low levels and has called for the international community to force Israel to lift the blockade.

Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres stopped movement in and out of the territories after four suicide bombings by Muslim militants killed 62 people over a nine-day period.

But Palestinians claim the closure is no longer necessary.

They say the ban is now leading to deaths. The Authority says 11 people have died because they weren't able to get access to essential medicines.

Muhamed Mushtaha had been battling with Israeli officialdom for three weeks.

His 14-month-old daughter was badly ill and needed treatment no longer available in Gaza.

Yesterday, Monday, the Israelis finally backed down.

They agreed to allow Mushtaha and his family to enter for medical treatment on humanitarian grounds.

But throughout Gaza ,supplies of medicine are said to be running dangerously low and many doctors are unable to travel to their jobs.

These doctors live and work in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, but to get to their work in Ramallah they must drive through Israel.

Doctors gathered at the Bethlehem check point on Tuesday to angrily protest against the continuing closure.

The doctors have the correct paperwork to get into Israel but are still refused entry.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We are not terrorists. We are simply people who have regular permission. We are monitored by the Israelis on the computer and I think there is nothing to stop us going to the hospital."

SUPERCAPTION: Doctor Wahib Dajani

Despite his pleas, Dajani was again turned away and forced to spend the day at home.

The Gaza Strip has been particularly hard hit by the closure.

The territory's fishing fleet - which plays an important role in the local economy - has been idle for the past three weeks.

Israel has banned it from putting to sea - Gaza's fishermen now spend their days sitting on the beach, repairing nets and passing the time of day.

With unemployment running at an all-time high, businesses in Gaza City are feeling the pinch.

These streets are usually full of people shopping - now the only people seen are shopkeepers sitting in front of their empty businesses.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Very bad - not good. Very, very bad."

SUPERCAPTION: Vox Pop Gaza City shop-owner

Some businesses such as this bakery are putting on a brave face.

But how long it can continue to do so without customers remains to be seen.

Marwan Kanafani, spokesman of the Palestinian Authority and a member of the newly elected Legislative Council, believes the international community needs to step in quickly.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Hopefully the international community will exercise its duty and stop this collective punishment of the Palestinian people."

SUPERCAPTION: Marwan Kanafani, Palestinian Authority spokesman

Some Israeli politicians agree and are now calling for the blockade to be lifted.

However, with an election due later in the year, most observers believe Prime Minister Shimon Peres will keep the doors firmly shut on the West Bank and Gaza until the security issue is resolved.

Erez Checkpoint, Bethlehem and Gaza City, West Bank, 17-19 March 1996

Erez Checkpoint 18 March

1. Long shot Erez checkpoint

2. Close shot Palestinian policemen

3. Palestinian walking up to checkpoint with his baby

4. Mid shot man with baby

5. Israeli soldiers examine documents

6. Long shot family walking through with baby

Bethlehem 19 March

7. Mid shot doctors at checkpoint

8. SOUNDBITE: Dajani

9. Dajani arguing with Israeli soldiers

10. Close shot Dajani reflection on soldier's sunglasses

11. Dajani walking away

Gaza City 17 March

12. Wide shot and pan of beach with boats on sand

13. Long shot fisherman walking among boats

14. Fisherman repairing nets

15. Fisherman lying in boat

16. Long shot empty street

17. Mid shot shop-keepers sitting outside shops

18. Interior of empty shop

19. SOUNDBITE: Vox Pop

20. Pan from car to inside of empty bakery

21. Interior of empty bakery

22. Various of man stacking bread

23. Kanafani speaking on phone

24. Picture on wall with Kanfani and Arafat

25. SOUNDBITE: Kanfani

26. Long shot and zoom into Gaza City

Natural Sound

Palestinians from the West Bank village of al-Gderi gathered on their land on Wednesday to protest its confiscation by the Israeli government.

The Israelis want the land in order to build a road to the Jordanian capital of Amman, but the Palestinians say that more land is being confiscated than is needed.

The Palestinians gathered at the village of al-Gderi, in the West Bank, Wednesday to protest against the confiscation of their land by the Israeli authorities.

The land - just outside the town of Ramallah - will be used by the Israeli government in their plans to build a road to Jordan's capital, Amman.

But the angry protesters say the Israelis are going overboard.

They claim more land than is needed to build the road is being taken away from its rightful owners.

Violence flared up as Israeli soldiers tried to disperse demonstrators who refused to leave.

The protest came as Israel prepared to transfer the nearby town of Ramallah to the Palestinians.

Ramallah is the seventh West Bank town to come under Palestinian control as part of the Israel-P-L-O agreement.

al-Gderi near Ramallah, West Bank, 27 December 1995

1. Dozens of Palestinians standing

2. Palestinians chanting

3. Crowd shouting at soldiers

4. Woman shouting

5. Soldiers hitting crowd

6. Soldiers dragging Palestinians

Natural Sound

The West Bank witnessed more violence between the Israeli army and Palestinians on Sunday.

The latest clashes were over land disputes in the West Bank.

The West Bank also saw protests by disabled Palestinians, angry at being prevented from entering Jerusalem to receive specialist treatment.

Bulldozers were working on a hillside in Halhoul to clear land for road construction when the trouble broke out.

The protestors claim Israel is confiscating their land to build roads for Jewish settlers.

They were out in force on Sunday trying to stop the construction by lying in front of the bulldozers.

Scuffles broke out when Israeli soldiers tried to force the protesters off the hill.

One Palestinian was badly hurt and had to be hospitalised.

Other Palestinians with disabilities are angry that the Israeli authorities makes it hard for them to cross into Israel for special treatment.

These wheelchair-bound Palestinians gathered at a checkpoint into Jerusalem to protest at the bureaucratic procedures preventing them entering the city.

Only those Palestinians with security clearance can cross the border into Israel.

Soldiers dispersed the disabled demonstrators by shoving and pushing them away.

West Bank, 3rd December 1995

(Halhoul, Agency material)

1. MS men talking on side of road

2. MS bulldozer

3. Crowd in font of bulldozer

4. CU man being taken away by police

5. Various of clashes with police and crowd

6. Man carried away on stretcher

7. Man put in ambulance

8. Ambulance drives away

(Al-Ram junction, APTV)

9. WS handicapped march

10. Various of people in wheelchairs

11. Israeli soldiers watching march

12. Palestinian women shouting at Israeli soldier

13. Israeli soldier pushing Palestinian man

14. Israeli soldier pushing with his leg a man on a wheelchair

English/Nat

The Moslem religion forbids the consumption of alcoholic beverages but Christian Arabs on the West Bank are taking advantage of the chance to produce the forbidden drink.

The West Bank is notoriously conservative. Its largely Arab population adhere to the laws of the Koran.

However in Ramallah, the entrepreneuring Khoury brothers, Nadim and David, recently opened the first Palestinian owned and run beer making company in the West Bank.

Taybeh Golden Beer, named after the ancestral town, Taybeh - home to the Khourys and after the Arabic word delicious - recently opened the doors to its new factory.

Three years ago Nadim and David Khoury applied to the Israeli authorities to open the first Palestinian brewery. Permission was granted and the corporation was formed in November '94 with limited distribution beginning in June 1995.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

The more peace, the more business we will have - the more freedom that we can have to sell our product. `Taybeh' means delicious and I come from Taybeh, I grew up in Taybeh, I'm from Taybeh. So the name, I like to have it locally because it's a local name. Everybody knows it in Arabic that `taybeh' means delicious. So for a beginning its excellent. I can't keep up with the product. Yesterday I didn't have any beers left so they had to work hard to bottle like you have just seen on the movie.

SUPER CAPTION: Nadim Khoury, Palestinian Beer Maker

The Khoury's are Boston University graduates who also worked together in one of the city's leading beverage retailers before returning to their native Taybeh.

Opening Taybeh Golden Beer is a realization of their dream to return to their own country and help to build its economy by producing world class beer in the birthplace of beer.

The Khouries plan to create a small brewery and eventually expand to offer other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for markets in Israel and Jordan.

Beer was brewed 5000 years ago in ancient Egypt and transported all over the world. It was also the basis for many medicines in the days of the Pharaohs.

Ramallah, West Bank, 17th August 1995.

1. Views of Ramallah

2. Interiors Taybeh Golden Beer Factory

3. Workers in factory preparing beer

4. SOUNDBITE: Nabil Khoury

5. Bottles of beer being filled and prepared

6. Beer in Taybeh cartons

7. Workers carrying cartons

English/Nat

As world leaders gather in Washington to continue their quest to salvage the shattered Middle East peace process, tourism operators in Bethlehem are threatening to call for the closing of all Christian and Muslim holy sites and an international travel boycott if Israel does not change its policies.

A group of fifty Australians were among the foreign tourists to find themselves in the middle of the armed struggle between Israelis and Palestinians Tuesday.

The busload of visitors, who were on pilgrimage to holy Christian sites, were stopped from entering the West Bank town of Bethlehem by Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint less than a mile away.

The Israeli checkpoint only a mile from the West Bank town of Bethlehem - birthplace of Jesus Christ.

These foreign pilgrims had come to walk in Jesus' footsteps, to see the holy sites where he was born, lived and died.

Instead they found themselves stranded, as their pilgrimage was cut short by Israeli soldiers.

Several Bethlehem hotels reported guests trapped for hours because Israeli soldiers would not let their buses enter the city.

Earlier in the week, tourists have had to duck the fighting and sneak around checkpoints to cross from Bethlehem, Jesus' birthplace, to Jerusalem, site of his crucifixion.

Hotels in Israel and the West Bank have reported a surge in cancellations in the wake of the worst violence between Israelis and Palestinians in nearly 30 years, following Israel's opening of an archaeological tunnel, which runs under and alongside one of the Muslim world's holiest shrines.

At the Nativity Hotel in Bethlehem, 50 Australian tourists from Melbourne faced a long wait, after their airport bus was held by the Israelis for several hours.

SOUNDBITE:(VOX POP)

"It's probably we're just in the wrong place at the wrong time. That's it."

SUPER CAPTION: Australian tourist

SOUNDBITE:(VOX POP)

"Both sides are playing politics and using us as pawns, and we don't have to say anything."

SUPER CAPTION: Australian tourist

Their hotel manager said he'd called the Israeli-Palestinian liaison office for help getting the bus through, but to no avail.

SOUNDBITE:

"We have tried to speak with the Ministry of Co-ordinating, and they told us that the channels of communication between Israelis and Palestinians are closed for today."

SUPER CAPTION: Triad , Manager, Nativity Hotel

The group was finally allowed to board a local bus to the checkpoint where their airport bus was held up.

In Jerusalem's Old City, site of the disputed Western Wall tunnel, police were taking no chances, as a steady stream of visitors queued up at the site.

The opening of the archaeological tunnel in Jerusalem's Old City was aimed at boosting Israel's tourist industry. Instead, the ensuing violence has dealt it another heavy blow.

Tourism slumped after a spate of bombings by Islamic militants last spring, and continued to fall following Israel's attack on Lebanon and the change of government in June.

Shopkeepers are beginning to feel the pinch.

SOUNDBITE:

"The situation is very bad. As you see in the market, nobody is walking around."

SUPER CAPTION: Jerusalem shopkeeper.

But some tourists remain undeterred by the ongoing tensions.

SOUNDBITE:(VOX POP)

"Every day we've been at the Western Wall and we've found no problems for safety."

SOUNDBITE: Jerusalem tourist.

The Israeli Tourism Ministry has reported losses of 200 (m) million dollars following the opening of the tunnel.

Bank border, Bethlehem and Jerusalem, 1st October 1996:

Shot at Israeli checkpoint:

1. Wide shot of road with road sign.

2. Close-up of Israeli flag.

3. Various of Israeli Soldiers checking cars.

4. Israeli soldiers talking to group of tourists at checkpoint.

5. Cutaway of soldiers standing next to car.

6. Tourists walk off.

Shot at Nativity Hotel, Bethlehem:

7. Various of tourists seated in lobby.

8. Zoom-out of suitcases on reception floor.

9. VOX POP 1

10. VOX POP 2

11. Two women seated next to suitcase in lobby.

12. Man reading book with cover of Jesus on it.

13. SOUNDBITE: Alyatim.

14. Guests pick up their suitcases to board bus.

15. Guests boarding bus.

16. Bus drives off.

Shot in Jerusalem:

17. People walking up street guarded by soldiers.

18. Various of police patrolling roads.

19. Various of people at entrance to Western Wall tunnel.

20. Tilt-down from sign saying "Via Dolorosa" to narrow street.

21. Israeli police walking up street wielding truncheons.

22. Interior of handbag shop.

23. SOUNDBITE: Jerusalem shop owner.

24. Cutaway to soldiers in road outside shops.

25. VOX POP: Jerusalem tourist.

26. Wide shot of bazaar.

Arabic/Nat

Clashes have broken out between Israeli soldiers and Bedouin Arabs in the West Bank.

The disturbances erupted when Israelis confiscated the Bedouin's goat herd, which was grazing in an army firing zone.

More than thirty Bedouins were injured in the ensuing scuffles, when soldiers fired rubber-coated steel pellets and used tear gas.

A crowd of more than one hundred-and fifty Bedouins responded to the confiscation of their livestock by throwing rocks at Israeli trucks.

Women and children of all ages joined in the fight against the Israeli soldiers, pelting the army trucks with heavy rocks, as they carried away the tribe's 140 goats.

The goats had been grazing in an army fire zone.

In a desperate attempt to stop the soldiers leaving with their goods, the Bedouins also blocked the narrow road leading to their desert encampment with burning tires.

The soldiers responded by firing rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas.

After more than an hour, the army brought in dozens more soldiers, and quelled the protest.

Six Bedouins were arrested.

People looked on in disbelief as the trucks drove away with the entire herd.

Some spoke out angrily to journalists recording the incident.

UPSOUND: (Arabic)

"Record how this works. Write about the American plan.."

Others tended the injured, and made stretchers to carry them away to hospital.

Peter Lerner, spokesman for Israel's military government in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, said the goats would be released after police question the suspects.

They would then have to pay a "holding fine" for the goats.

Thirteen Bedouin were treated at Bethlehem's Hussein Hospital for injuries from the rubber bullets, and 20 for tear gas inhalation.

None of the injuries were serious, hospital officials said.

Ironically, Wednesday marked the army's official 50th anniversary salute to Israel's Bedouin community.

Bethlehem Area, West Bank - July 15 1998

1. Medium shot of women throwing stones at Israeli tanks

2. Medium shot of Bedouin lying on ground, suffering from inhalation of tear gas and surrounded by people

3. Israeli soldiers kneeling by Bedouin on ground

4. Woman screaming by person on floor

5. Men carrying person away on stretcher

6. UPSOUND: (Arabic) VOX POP, Bedouin

7. Pan of goats in truck

8. Israeli soldiers by roadside

9. Israeli truck coming through

10. Wide of trucks behind rubble

11. Exterior of hospital

13. Various of people being treated by medics

14. Ambulance outside hospital

English/Nat

A legend is spreading in the West Bank that milk from a special goat in can cure impotence.

Customers line up in Sinirya, on the West Bank, to pay 50 dollars for a cup of the thick white elixir from the hermaphrodite goat. The happy owner says he makes more money now than he did laying tiles in Israel.

This may look like a typical countryside scene of goats grazing.

But one of these goats is very special. This goat has developed a teat in addition to his male organ.

It is believed that the milk produced by this Billy-goat can improve one's sexual potency.

Whether or not this is true, it is good news for the goat's owner- Saqr Sheikh, himself the father of 11. Earnings from the sale of the milk provide a comfortable income.

SOUNDBITE:

"I found ... the owner of this goat... he told me abnormal goat. I find it. Then I told many people in my country to look at it ...it's good... this is foreign- really."

SUPER CAPTION: Saqr Sheikh, Owner of special goat

He values his goat at 30-thousand dollars.

Sheikh says he offers his customers privacy it they prefer- but this man does not seem to mind who knows that he's taking the treatment.

Sinirya village, West Bank, 7 March 1995

1. Various shots of goats grazing

2. Goat being fed

3. CU Goat udder

4. SOUNDBITE: (Man milking goat)

5. CU man milking goat

6. Wide shot of goats

7. Man drinking milk

KEYWORDS: UNUSUAL

English/Nat

A controversial new casino is due to open on Tuesday in the West Bank town of Jericho.

Owners argue the casino will bring wealth into the impoverished area where Palestinians still live without adequate water and power supplies.

But many local residents fear little of the wealth will trickle down and that the influx of foreigners will erode their traditional Islamic ways.

Journalists were given a first glimpse of the "Oasis," built on an expanse of desert outside Jericho, on Monday.

Across the street from the Aqbat Refugee Camp, the 50 (m) million U-S dollar casino opens on Tuesday.

Ahead of the opening, croupiers and dealers posed for the press behind 35 roulette and blackjack tables which are surrounded by 220 slot machines.

Security was tight, even though casino officials said they have not received threats from Islamic militants.

The Austrian operators of the casino say it will bring prosperity to local residents.

They say the casino is only the start of what in the next few years is to grow into the largest resort in the Middle East.

Future development plans include three luxury hotels, golf courses and convention facilities - creating up to 5-thousands jobs for Palestinians.

But many Jericho residents say little of the wealth will trickle down, and fear the influx of foreigners will erode their traditional Islamic ways.

A local Hamas leader criticised the plan, saying the casino would definitely not bring riches to the Palestinians.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)

"Those people that are claiming the casino will pour millions of dollars to the Palestinian people are lying and deceiving their people. This casino will only have a negative effect the Palestinian people."

SUPER CAPTION: Sheikh Harb Jaber, Hamas leader and Jericho

preacher

Yasser Arafat's cash-strapped government stands to make millions of dollars in gaming taxes and is not likely to comply with locals' demands that the Palestinian Authority shut it down.

Officials say they consider the casino an important marker in the prosperity of Palestinians.

Minister of Tourism Mitri Abu Aita said the venture was an opportunity for cooperation across the community.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)

"No doubt that the casino will have its own clients that will pour money to the Palestinians, I understand that the other side (Israel) is happy about the project which means cooperation between both of us."

SUPER CAPTION: Mitri Abu Aita, Palestinian Minister of Tourism

Most Israelis are reluctant to enter Palestinian-governed areas, fearing attacks by Islamic radicals.

But Israeli gamblers have been looking for new places to spend their money since Turkey, once a gambling hot spot, closed its casinos several months ago.

Jericho and Bethlehem, West Bank - 14 September 1998 and File

Jericho - 14 September 1998

1. Exterior of the Oasis casino

2. Various of slot machines inside casino

3. Close up of slot machine player's sunglasses

4. Mid shot jackpot

5. Various of card games table

6. Pan to close up of Russian roulette

File - Jericho - 18th August 1998

7. Various of streets in Jericho

8. Set up of Sheikh Harb Jaber, Hamas leader and Jericho preacher

9. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Sheikh Harb Jaber, Hamas leader and Jericho preacher

10. Zoom out of casino in construction

File - Bethlehem - 19th August 1998

11. Set up Palestinian Minister of Tourism, Mitri Abu Aita

12. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Mitri Abu Aita, Palestinian Minister of Tourism

Jericho - 14 September 1998

13. Various of card games table

Natural Sound

Supporters of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas on Saturday burned the Israeli flag and blew up a model of an Israeli bus during a memorial rally for the group's chief bomb maker, Mohiyedine Sharif.

Hamas members at the rally called on supporters to take revenge on the Israeli government, who they believe killed Sharif.

There was no doubt in the minds of the thousands of Hamas supporters who had killed their chief bomb maker.

Frantic crowds jeered and chanted their hatred of Israel.

Supporters and members of Hamas believe the Israeli government should pay for its deeds although Israel denies any responsibility in the killing of Mohiyedine Sharif on March 29.

Israel blames the murder on Hamas infighting.

An investigation by Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority found that Sharif was shot dead by a Hamas rival as part of a power struggle.

But Hamas has rejected the findings and accused the Palestinian Authority of collaborating with Israel in the killing.

Their vengeance was rife at the rally where anti-Israel slogans were sung from microphones and boomed out on speakers.

Tensions ran high when Hamas members carried a symbolic coffin and bloodied stretcher.

Thousands of Palestinians shouted: "We will avenge the death of our beloved martyr," as a model bus was set on fire.

The killing of the Hamas hero and the Hamas rejection of the Palestinian findings has led to a crackdown on Hamas by the Palestinian Authority.

Nablus, West Bank, 11 April 1998

1. Wide shot of Hamas supporters at An-Najah University waving flags

2. Medium shot of supporters waving flags

3. Close up of people singing on stage

4. Long shot of model mosque with pan to model bus

5. Wide of people cheering and chanting

6. Wide of Hamas supporters standing by model bus with pan to crowd

7. Wide of female Hamas supporters

8. Wide of Hamas man demonstrating with sword

9. Wide of the bus being set alight and blown up

10. Wide of crowds shouting and chanting

11. Close up of woman holding picture of Sharif

12. Wide of crowds moving forwards

13. Medium of Hamas members carrying a stretcher with model body

14. Medium of model coffin being carried by supporters and members

15. Close up of members holding stretcher

16. Hamas member with mask holding Israeli flag and burning it

English/Nat

Israeli members of the organization "Peace Now" joined Palestinian demonstrators in Bethlehem on Saturday to protest at Israel's recent seizure of nearly 2,000 acres of Palestinian land.

The Israeli government says the land will be used to build a security road. But the Palestinians fear it's part of a plan to create a new ring of annexed land around Jerusalem.

Starting from the Church of the Nativity, hundreds of marchers carried banners reading messages of peace and "Don't Confiscate Our Land" banners.

The land seized by the Isreali authorities is known as Jabel Abu Aghaiem. It's 20 kilometers from the disputed city of Jerusalem--- coveted by both Jews and Arabs for its religious symbolism.

The Israelis insist the land is needed to build a security road. The Palestinians fear it's part of the Israeli plan to create a new ring of annexed land around Jerusalem.

SOUNDBITE (English):

"Well, I am part of a very big and popular Palestinian and national protest against the confiscation of land, against the so-called, bypass roads, against the isolation of Jerusalem, and the fragmenting of the ongoing settlement activities."

SUPER CAPTION: Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian legislator

The land was previously owned by 2,400 people from Bethlehem and the nearby towns of Beit Zahur and Beit Jallah.

1. highshot people walking down road carrying banners

2. ws demonstrators walking down road

3. ms protest march

4. Palestinian police watching on

5. "Peace Now" protestors

6. ws protestors marching on hill

7. pan crowd

8. SOUNDBITE (English): Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian legislator

9. pullout Palestinian addressing crowd

English/Nat

The president of the World Bank signed a 20-million dollar (U-S) agreement for health and education with the Palestinian Authority Sunday and pledged his agency's full support for the self-rule government.

World Bank President James Wolfensohn says he will also discuss the Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank that has kept thousands of workers away from jobs.

In order for the new Palestinian authority to function, it needs support from the World Bank.

World Bank President James Wolfensohn was in Gaza to pledge funds to P-L-O chief Yasser Arafat.

The agreement Wolfensohn signed on Sunday is part of a 127 (m) million dollars (U-S) education programme for Gaza and the West Bank.

Donor countries and the World Bank have pledged 2-point-4 billion dollars to help the Palestinians during the five-year interim period of self-rule which ends in 1999.

But so far only 540 million dollars (U-S) has been distributed out of one-point-two (b) billion dollars (U-S) promised for 1994-95.

Arafat was confident that with more cash being released, the nascent Palestinian state would continue to grow.

SOUNDBITE:

"We're going to need this help because all of our structure has had to start from zero. But through this cooperation and coordination I'm sure we can close all the gaps."

SUPER CAPTION: Yasser Arafat, chairman of P-L-O

Wolfensohn was keen to point out the problems of the Palestinian authority were not just its own.

SOUNDBITE:

The challenge that is before the Palestinian people is something more than a financial exercise, we take it very seriously we take it seriously in human terms. It is not just a Palestinian or an Israeli problem we are the World Bank and we see it as a world problem.

SUPER CAPTION: James Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank

Later Arafat took his guest on a guided tour of some World Bank-funded projects including a school under renovation, a road where a sewage system is being installed and a beachfront construction site.

But much of Gaza's economy depends on its workers being able to work in Israel, which they are unable to do because of border closures.

Wolfensohn has promised to bring this up with the Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin when the two meet later today (Sunday).

Gaza, 9th July 1995

1. Wolfensohn and Arafat shaking hands

2. Wolfensohn and Arafat talking to reporters

3. Soundbite Arafat.

4. Sot Wolfensohn:

5. Arafat and Wolfensohn at Gaza construction site

6. Arafat showing site to Wolfensohn