T/I 10:00:00

STORY: WRAP

LOCATION: WEST BANK/ISRAEL

DATE: 14 FEBRUARY 1995

DURATION: 1.11

Hebron mosque massacre anniversary; Jewish taxi driver buried.

Palestinians in the West Bank town of Hebron observed a commercial

strike on Tuesday (14/2) to mark the first anniversary of the

massacre of 29 Palestinians by an Israeli settler in the Tomb of

the Patriarchs, an ancient mosque. Israeli security forces were on

high alert in Hebron and throughout the West Bank, Jerusalem and

Tel Aviv in anticipation of violence connected to the anniversary.

The attack on February 25, 1994, was the worst incident of

violence against Palestinians by a lone Israeli and set off a

sequence of suicide bombings across Israel in which some 60 people

have been killed. The anniversary was marked today according to

the Muslim calendar. In Jerusalem, where a Jewish taxi driver, who

was stabbed to death on Monday, was buried, Israeli Prime

Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, said his government was reluctant to lift

the closure of Gaza and the West Bank "until the Palestinian

Authority proves that it is committed to fighting terror". The

Authority responded by ordering a raid on the Khan Yunis district

of Gaza, where 200 kilogrammes of gunpowder and 25,000

pornographic playing cards were seized and later burned.

SHOWS:

(HEBRON, WEST BANK 14/2) Tomb of the Patriarchs. Poster of

PLO Chairman, Yasser Arafat, at rally. WS of rally in hall. Jewish

settler arguing with Mayor of Hebron, Mustafa Neitshe.

(JERUSALEM, ISRAEL 14/2) WS funeral procession. Pallbearers.

Covered body. SOT Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin: "The

government of Israel is committed, on one hand, to continue the

negotiation, to bring about the implementation of the declaration

of principles of the peace accord in the West Bank, but at the

same time we have to see a real effort by the Palestinian

authorities against terrorism originated from their area."

(GAZA, 14/2) Gunpowder laid out on ground. CU gunpowder being

spread. Officials thumbing through pornographic playing cards.

Flames.

T/I 10:02:49

STORY: CLASHES

LOCATION: VARIOUS, WEST BANK

DATE: 17 FEBRUARY 1995

DURATION: 1.19

Arafat rejects Jenin terms; youths confront troops.

PLO Chairman, Yasser Arafat, rejected on Friday (17/2) an Israeli

offer that he take administrative control of the occupied West

Bank town of Jenin as a first step towards widening Palestinian

self-rule. Speaking to a congregation in a Gaza mosque, in his

first public reaction to the proposal, Arafat described his

Thursday meeting with Rabin at the Israel-Gaza border as

"difficult." Violence flared on the West Bank on Friday, with

Nablus seeing the fiercest clashes. Palestinians threw stones at

Israeli soldiers, who returned tear gas and rubber bullets. In

Hebron, clashes broke out for the fifth consecutive day. Hebron

has been tense since the first anniversary of the massacre by an

Israeli settler of 29 Palestinian worshippers at the Tomb of the

Patriachs. In Jerusalem, the Israeli Army imposed tight security

for the Friday prayers, following intelligence warnings of

intended terror attacks by Muslim fundamentalists during the month

of Ramadan.

SHOWS:

(NABLUS, WEST BANK 17/2) Palestinian youths throwing stones

in street. Israeli soldier firing rubber bullets down street. Tear

gas in city centre. Tear gas in middle of street. Fumes.

Palestinian in back of truck being hit with rifle by Israeli

soldier.

(17/2) Soldier pushing barrier across road. WS Palestinians going

through gates of mosque. Security guard checking documents.

Another shot of security checking papers. Security checking man's

papers. WS men praying at mosque. PULL-OUT from men praying at

mosque.

(GAZA CITY 17/2) Arafat greeted with kiss from another man.

Arafat's hands. PULL-OUT to WS Arafat praying. PAN of men sitting

on floor of mosque.

T/I 10:08:39

STORY: GORE

LOCATION: ISRAEL/WEST BANK

DATE: 23 MARCH 1995

DURATION: 1.36

Meets Arafat, visits Yad Vashem and an Israeli school

PLO leader Yasser Arafat promised in Jericho on Friday (24/3) to wage a new campaign against terrorism. He made the pledge after holding talks with U.S. vice president Al Gore, who responded by saying the commitment was an important step towards Middle East peace. Gore said Arafat had made it clear he would proceed with the criminal prosecution of "those who are suspected of terrorist activities." Arafat said he would set up new state security courts. The U.S. Vice President announced an aid package for the Gaza Strip and said President Clinton had also authorised Palestinians to export a range of goods to the United States. Before visiting Jericho, U.S. Vice President Al Gore visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem. At Yad Vashem, Gore saw a memorial to the 6 million Jews killed by the Nazis and expressed horror at the scope of the genocide. While in Jerusalem, Gore and Israeli Environment Minister Yossi Sarid Micha Goldman signed the "GLOBE" bilateral agreement, which links the ecological findings of Israeli students by computer to those of their

counterparts all over the world. The signing took place at Jerusalem's Zief school.

SHOWS:

(JERICHO, WEST BANK 24/3) U.S. Vice President, Al Gore and PLO Chairman, Yasser Arafat, shake hands beside Gore's car. Interior shot of Arafat and Gore taking their places at the podium. WS of news conference. Arafat SOT (followed by translation): "On our side, we have taken measures and will take measures in order to stop those who are trying to to jeopardise the peace process." Reporters. Gore SOT: "I would like to formally present to you this document which extends the generalised system of preferences to Gaza and the West Bank."

(JERUSALEM, ISRAEL 23/3) Exhibit at memorial. Poster of boy. Gore

looking at the exhibits. Rear shot of Gore looking at exhibit.

Gore looking at an exhibit of sewing machines. CU Eternal Flame.

CU Gore wearing skull cap. Choir singing. Gore laying wreath.

LEAD IN:

A Palestinian clothes designer from Ramallah has built up a celebrity following, making a name for himself and for Palestinian fashion outside the region.

He wants other Palestinians to be inspired to take up careers in the fashion industry.

STORY-LINE:

Whether in Los Angeles or downtown Ramallah, international designer Rami Kashou is sharing his collection with a broad range of people.

Kashou, the son of a former Miss Jordan, was born in Jerusalem in 1976, and raised in Ramallah. He started to draw and design clothes at the age of seven, designing for his mother and the neighbours.

After high school he moved to the US to learn fashion design.

He was one of the 15 designers to feature on season four of 'Project Runway' in 2007. He finished as first runner-up, going on to show his work during Fashion Week in New York.

Project Runway is a reality show that pits contestants from around the US against each other in challenges that test their creativity and aesthetics. They create runway ready looks in weekly episodes and the top designers often go on to dress celebrities.

Kashou has dressed famous people such as Queen Rania of Jordan, Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba, Paris Hilton, Heidi Klum and others.

"I wanted to come to Ramallah to show some of my work, because I'm a son of this country, so I come every year here to visit. This time I wanted to give the people a chance to come to see my work and to get to know each other. There are people who are following my work but can't reach it", he says.

In a studio close to Yasser Arafat Square, people have come from different areas to see Kashou's latest designs, talk to him and try his clothes.

"I'm happy that he thought of doing such a thing here, to start with as a Palestinian. We should benefit the most from his work more than others," says Hiyam Atwan Zabaneh, a Ramallah resident who was trying on a Rami Kashou dress.

The Palestinian designer wants to encourage other international designers to come to Ramallah and show their work to Palestinians.

"There are people among us who like fashion. But because of what goes on in the news, they don't see these stuff (that Palestinians like fashion). So we like to change this idea and change the atmosphere," says Kashou.

Currently he is working on having an online shop, where people can see his latest work and buy it online. He is also looking to use Palestinian embroidery, which he would like to incorporate into his future work.

Ramallah, West Bank - 27 July 2016

1. Designer Rami Kashou helping woman while she is trying on dress

2. Tilt up of dress on woman

3. Kashou talking to woman about dress

4. Mid of dresses

5. Tilt up of dress

6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rami Kashou, designer:

"I wanted to come to Ramallah to show some of my work, because I'm a son of this country, I come every year here to visit. This time I wanted to give the people a chance to come to see my work and to get to know each other. There are people who are following my work but can't reach it. It is like an experiment, I wanted to show some of my work, and see what is more desired; the evening dresses, the cocktail dresses, the daily dresses, shirts, skirts, so next time I would like that every time I come I bring with me a collection that has different sizes, and give the people a chance to buy, because here it is rare to have a designer brining his work with him."

7. Mid of women checking dress

8. Kashou talking to woman about dress on mannequin

9. Tilt up of dress on mannequin

10. Women checking dresses

11. Kashou talking to visitors about his designs

12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic/English) Hiyam Atwan Zabaneh, Ramallah resident:

"I'm happy that he thought of doing such a thing here. To start with as a Palestinian, we should benefit the most from his work more than others. Even if the person did not buy, it is good to get to know what's the fashion this year, and this season. I really encourage him to do such events more often to show us and keep us up to date."

13. Zoom out of Kashou holding one of his dresses

14. Various of clothes designed by Kashou

15. Kashou holding dress

16. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rami Kashou, designer:

"Following this, people might be encouraged to come here more and show their work. Maybe this is a new opportunity that will encourage designers from abroad to come and give a chance to the Palestinian people to see (their work). There are people among us who like fashion. But because of what goes on in the news, people don't see this aspect (that Palestinians like fashion). So we would like to change this idea and change the atmosphere."

17. Kashou showing woman a dress

18. Women checking dresses

19. Tilt down of white dress

20. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rami Kashou, designer:

"I will have an online shop, so people can buy online, if after I leave here people wanted to see my work and the new collection, it will be shown there (online). Now I'm looking into the embroidery subject, as I would like to work on a specific design that will include Palestinian embroidery."

21. Kashou talking to women about his work

SHOTLIST:

1. Young Palestinian pianist comes on stage and is greeted by Israeli pianist Daniel Barenboim

2. Various of young Palestinian performing while Barenboim watches

3. Audience applauds

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Daniel Barenboim, Israeli Pianist:

"People ask me all over the world, 'why are you going to Ramallah? Why do you have to go there?' and I tell them 'It's very simple, you know, I'm not a politician, I don't have a plan to end the conflict, if I had then I wouldn't be here but I think the lesson we have to learn from the twentieth century is that every human being, small, young as you or older, like I, has to think of his responsibility as a human being and not always depend on the politicians and the government."

5. Applause as Barenboim takes to the stage

6. Various of Barenboim performing

STORYLINE:

JEWISH MAESTRO DEFIES CRITICS WITH WEST BANK VISIT

World renowned Israeli conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim on Tuesday performed at a school in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Barenboim said he wanted to help reduce tension between Palestinians and Israelis.

Barenboim, an Argentine-born Israeli, is the music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of the Staatsoper Berlin.

Apart from his prolific career as an orchestra conductor and concert pianist, he has involved himself in past musical projects aimed at encouraging understanding between peoples in the Middle East.

Barenboim has been criticised by many fellow Israelis for deciding to perform in Ramallah, where Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has his headquarters.

LEAD IN:

A Palestinian artist is using an unusual medium to produce his work.

Yazan Ghareeb paints using coffee - he says it has a strong link with Middle Eastern history.

STORY-LINE:

A stove, a little silver pot and some coffee granules.

But Yazan Ghareeb isn't craving a caffeine fix.

He's an artist and this is his chosen painting material.

After a quick taste, he dips his brush into the liquid and gets to work.

Ghareeb began this unusual style while studying at Syria's Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts.

A lack of funds and a delay in receiving money transfers from his family forced him to explore new methods.

"Necessity is the mother of invention," he says.

"There was a drawing exam that I had to finish so I was compelled to use the coffee to paint my portraits."

That was back in 2010, and Ghareeb is continuing to use coffee to forge a career as an artist.

He feels painting with the liquid fosters a deep connection with his Palestinian heritage.

"We used to drink a cup of coffee every day in the morning as a Middle Eastern custom, so I try to draw the old cities in Palestine from 1900 by using this cup of coffee to connect between the old history of Palestine and the coffee," he explains.

"And as I remember to drink a cup of coffee every day in the morning, I want people to remember the history of Palestine."

Ghareeb's first exhibition was called 'Flavour of Spirit' and took place in Bethlehem last month.

His coffee paintings were displayed at the Russian Centre for Science and Culture.

Several of the works were snapped up by art lovers - the most expensive went for 1,500 US dollars.

HD version available in \\Source_Clips\Newsroom Failures

Bethlehem, West Bank - 19 May 2016

1. Various of artist Yazan Ghareeb making coffee on stove in his studio

2. Pull out of Ghareeb drinking coffee

3. Close of Ghareeb dipping paint brush into coffee

4. Various of Ghareeb painting with coffee

5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yazan Ghareeb, artist

"Necessity is the mother of invention. There was a delay in the money transfer from my family when I was studying in the Art Institute in Syria and also my family were not sending me enough money and there was a drawing exam that I had to finish so I was compelled to use the coffee to paint my portraits."

6. Wide of Ghareeb holding up framed painting

7. Close of painting of the Dome of the Rock

8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yazan Ghareeb, artist:

"I did several paintings with the coffee and I called them 'Flavour of Spirit'. We used to drink a cup of coffee every day in the morning as a Middle Eastern custom, so I try to draw the old cities in Palestine from 1900 by using this cup of coffee to connect between the old history of Palestine and the coffee. And as I remember to drink a cup of coffee every day in the morning, I want people to remember the history of Palestine."

9. Various Ghareeb painting portrait of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat

10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yazan Ghareeb, artist:

"We like coffee, we drink coffee every day but as I enjoy drinking coffee I am trying to make people enjoy the taste of the coffee in my portraits."

11. Various of Ghareeb and his artwork in his studio

STORY: SETTLEMENT

LOCATION: WEST BANK/GAZA

DATE: 28 DECEMBER 1994

DURATION: 1.22

Israel reviews al-Khader; Arafat says it's stopped

Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on Wednesday (28/12) ordered

a review of plans to expand a Jewish settlement in the West Bank

after Palestinian protests that it breached the Israel-PLO peace

accord. An Israeli government spokesmen said construction would

continue while the Attorney General reviewed the legality of the

project and reported to the cabinet on Monday (2/1). The dispute

erupted on Thursday (22/12) when bulldozers from the Jewish

settlement of Efrat in the Israeli-occupied West Bank were sent to

begin a road to a barren hilltop area for a new neighbourhood at

al-Khader. On Wednesday (28/12) PLO chairman Yasser Arafat called

an emergency meeting of his Palestinian Authority in Gaza to

discuss the settlement and told them he had received a phone call

from Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres assuring him that the

work would stop. Meanwhile Israeli bulldozers dug for a second day

at the site near Bethlehem, breaking ground for 500 apartment

units, as some 200 Palestinians chanted nationalist songs and

waved flags. More than 100,000 Jews live in settlements scattered

among a million Arabs in the West Bank captured by Israel in 1967.

SHOWS:

(AL-KHADER, WEST BANK 28/12) Palestinians walking past

earth-digging machine. CU of earth digger. WS earth-digging

equipment.

(GAZA CITY) PLO chairman Yasser Arafat leaving Palestinian

Authority building. SOT "I have been informed just now from Mr

Peres on the phone that they have decided to stop it (building of

the settlement)."

(AL-KHADER, WEST BANK) Palestinian women chanting. Palestinian man

leading chant. Palestinian woman chanting.

(JERUSALEM, ISRAEL) Israeli government press office spokesman Uri

Dromi. SOT: "So what we are planning to do is to reassess the

situation, make sure that nothing will harm the peace process

because this is our number one commitment. But we will have to

find ways how to allow people who live there to live even when the

peace process is going on."

(AL-KHADER, WEST BANK) Pull-out from bulldozer to chanting

Palestinians.

T/I: 10:24:54

STORY: TALKS

LOCATION: WEST BANK/GAZA

DATE: 1 JULY 1995

DURATION: 0.59

Violent clashes mark Palestinian self-rule expansion deadline

There were more violent clashes in the West Bank on Saturday (1/7)

as hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets demanding the

release of more than 5,000 Palestinians in Israeli jails. Soldiers

in the towns of Nablus, Jenin and Ramallah used tear gas, rubber

bullets and clubs to break up the crowds. The clashes came as

Israeli and PLO negotiators said Israel and the PLO would miss

Saturday's deadline for signing an accord on wider Palestinian

self-rule. Instead, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and PLO

Chairman Yasser Arafat were likely to announce after talks later

in the day a general declaration of principles for Israeli

redeployment in the occupied West Bank, a PLO official said. Both

sides had set July 1 as the deadline for an accord on Palestinian

elections and an Israeli troop pullout from Arab towns in the West

Bank, which is already a year behind schedule.

SHOWS.

(WEST BANK 1/7)

MS youths running in streets. Soldiers firing into the air. Soldier firing tear gas. Tear gas cannister. Tear gas exploding. More tear gas exploding on ground. Youths running away.

(JENIN, WEST BANK 1/7)

GVS women protestors supporting. Palestinian security detainees held by Israel. Soldiers break up crowd and force man into back of van. Man being kicked. Man on floor, dragged by police.

(GAZA CIT 1/7)

PNA rep arrives. Car arrives at PNA meeting. Arafat gets out. Arafat moves toward building.

STORY: SHOOTING

LOCATION: WEST BANK/ISRAEL

DATE: 27 NOVEMBER 1994

DURATION: 1.20

Rabbi killed; Ashrawi calls for removal of settlements

A rabbi was shot dead and an Israeli policeman wounded when they

were attacked by Islamic militants as they drove to a Jewish

settlement on Sunday (27/11). The shooting near the West Bank city

of Hebron came a day before Foreign Minister Shimon Peres was to

meet PLO leader Yasser Arafat in Brussels to discuss problems

facing the expansion of Palestinian autonomy. Jewish settlers

blamed government peace policies for encouraging militants to

attack, but Israeli Cabinet members promised to continue talks

with the PLO. At their regular Sunday meeting, they also

considered the recent upsurge of fighting between rival

Palestinian factions in Gaza. Reacting to Sunday's shooting in the

West Bank, Hamas spokesman Saud Alashawa said that Palestinians

were peaceful people who want freedom and statehood, passports and

identification cards. Referring to the killing of settlers by

Islamic militants he added that Palestinians were also freedom

fighters struggling against Israeli occupation. He went on to call

for the dismantling of Jewish settlements which he described as

timebombs. Meanwhile, Palestinian minister for human rights,

Hannan Ashrawi condemned the killing of innocent people but called

upon Israel to dismantle all settlements located in the heart of

Arab territories.

SHOWS:

(WEST BANK, 27/11) Road where shooting took place. Police

and military cars arrive. Men searching Rabbi's overturned car.

(JERUSALEM, 27/11) Wounded Israeli on stretcher is wheeled through

hospital corridor into emergency room. Government building where

Israeli cabinet meet. Cabinet meeting, ministers round long table.

Prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. Military commander at meeting.

Foreign minister Shimon Peres at table. Ministers walk out of

building. Minister of agriculture Yacob Tsur SOT: "What we have to

ensure that coming to the further step of the peace agreement,

should really ensure the safety of the settlers, of the

settlements, of the Jews really in this area."

(RAMALLAH, WEST BANK, 27/11) Palestinian minister for human

rights, Hanan Ashrawi SOT: "I think if we really want a serious

solution to this violence we should have a serious and equitable

solution to the settlements and I think the settlements

particularly in and around populated areas like Hebron and

settlements in Gaza have to be removed immediately."

(WEST BANK, 27/11) Road where rabbi was attacked, soldiers and

cars. Pull out to road.

Arabic/Eng/Nat

Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan ibn Talal met the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Monday.

The two discussed the deadlocked Middle East peace process before the Prince spoke to reporters.

Monday's meeting came a day before Prince Hassan is due to meet Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a bid to restore relations between the two camps.

Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan, the brother of King Hussein, arrived in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Monday to an official Palestinian welcome.

Prince Hassan was greeted by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and a guard of honour.

The stalled Middle East peace process was at the top of the agenda in a meeting between the Crown Prince and Arafat.

Talks between Israel and the Palestinians collapsed a year ago after Israel reneged on an agreement over Jewish settlements in Arab East Jerusalem.

On Saturday, Arafat claimed the Middle East peace process was not just stalled, but was in fact moving backwards.

But Prince Hassan believes it can now be restarted.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think this is part of the rejuvenation of the political contact in the region, in the context of peace making - as you recall political contacts were focused largely on the crisis in Baghdad. I'm glad to say that with the containment and the serious steps towards the resolution of that crisis we are able to focus once again on the importance of consolidating the achievements of the last several months."

SUPER CAPTION: Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)

"Peace is a Palestinian interest, Israeli interest, an Arab interest, European interest, American interest, Russian interest and universal interest - that's why I call the universal society to move in all ways to protect peace."

SUPER CAPTION: Yasser Arafat, Palestinian Leader

The visit to the West Bank came the day before Prince Hassan is due to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel.

It's the first visit to Israel in more than a year by a member of Jordan's royal family - when the peace process will also be at the top of the agenda.

Ramallah, West Bank - March 9, 1997

APTV

1. Shot of Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan's helicopter descending

2. Crown Prince Hassan emerging from helicopter

3. Yasser Arafat and Crown Prince Hassan walking together

4. Crown Prince Hassan and Arafat getting ready for salute

5. Shot of Brass Band

6. Palestinian honour guard saluting the Jordanian Prince

7. Soldier saluting Arafat and Hassan before all three walk away

8. Hassan's car driving to Arafat's office

10. Close up of Arafat and Hassan sitting in Arafat's office

11. Hassan and Arafat descend steps for press conference

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan

13. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Yasser Arafat, Palestinian Leader

14. Various Prince Hassan leaving

T/I 10:21:03

STORY: KOHL

LOCATION: WEST BANK

DATE: 7 JUNE 1995.

DURATION: 1.10

Germany pledges funds to Palestine

German Chancellor Helmut Kohl on Wednesday (7/6) travelled to the autonomous Palestinian enclave of Jericho for talks with PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat. It was the first visit by a head of government to the West Bank town since Palestinian self-rule began more than a year ago. The two men discussed European aid to the autonomous areas and the German Chancellor offered seven million dollars worth of Deutchmarks to help strengthen the administrative framework of the Palestinian Authority. Kohl told Arafat that Palestinian militants must not be allowed to wage bombing campaigns against Israel, but he acknowledged that the Palestinians have a serious unemployment problem in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. He said Germany would consider investing in a planned Gaza airport, as well as industrial parks in the autonomous areas. The 65-year-old Chancellor has already visited Egypt and Jordan on his week-long tour of the Middle East.

SHOWS:

(JERICHO, WEST BANK 7/6)

Guard and Palestinian flag on rooftop. German Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, and others getting off bus. Palestinian honour guard standing to attention. Bagpipes and drums playing German national anthem. Kohl and PLO Chairman, Yasser Arafat, reviewing honour guard. Kohl and others at meeting table, PAN to Arafat and others. WS meeting. Arafat and

Palestinian aides. News conference. Arafat. Arafat and Kohl at news conference.

STORY: ARAFAT

LOCATION: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM/MIDDLE EAST

DATE: 28 NOVEMBER 1994

DURATION: 1.14

PLO leader, Peres talk peace with EU; Rabbi buried

PLO leader Yasser Arafat said after meeting Israeli Foreign

Minister Shimon Peres on Monday (28/11) that he hoped there would

soon be elections in the former occupied territories. "The

Israelis understand our need for quick elections, but at the same

time we also have to understand the necessity for security," he

added. Flanked by Peres, who is on a one-day visit to Brussels,

Arafat said free elections spelled stability for his people. Under

the limited self-rule accord signed between the PLO and Israel six

months ago, elections were to have taken place in July in the Gaza

Strip and Jericho and parts of the West Bank still administered by

Israel. However, talks got bogged down over the nature and size of

the elected assembly and whether Palestinian groups who reject the

self-rule deal should be allowed to stand for office. Peres said

negotiations had reopened in Brussels over when elections should

take place, adding that the talks should not take place publicly.

"Today we have agreed on an agenda. I don't think that we need to

negotiate publicly. We intend to negotiate with our Palestinian

partners very seriously," he added. Peres also discussed security

in Gaza and the West Bank at meetings in Brussels with European

Union officials. The security issue was emphasised yet again, in

the West Bank, with the funeral on Monday of 34-year-old Rabbi

Amiram Ulami, who was killed on Sunday morning by gunmen near a

Jewish settlement south of Hebron. Hundreds of mourners, including

many settlers attended the burial. The rabbi's death brought to

100 the number of Israelis killed in attacks since the signing of

the peace agreement in September last year.

SHOWS:

(BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 28/11) Peres and Arafat embracing. Int.

ws press conference. Arafat, SOT: "The majority of our masses are

supporting the peace process, and we are committed to this

process." Peres, SOT: "May I say on the Israeli part that we

are working with the Palestinian authority and Chairman Arafat

together so to make the agreement a success. We are not going to

stop it." Photo opportunity Arafat and Peres. CU Arafat. CU Peres.

(WEST BANK, 28/11) WS Mourners approaching burial site. Burial.

Cutaway crying child. Earth shovelled. Pan of mourners at burial.

LEADIN:

A three day Music Expo is taking place in the West Bank to raise awareness of Palestinian music.

Experts from the British music industry are involved and are looking at ways to export the music to the West.

STORYLINE:

Palestinian band Talila perform on stage at the first 'Palestine Music Expo', which drew hundreds of people on Wednesday in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

The three day Expo aims to highlight Palestinian music and raise awareness of its rich and diverse cultural heritage.

It was organised by Palestinian musicians, activists and people from the British music industry.

One organiser, Rami Younis, explains:

"We came up with this idea so the whole world know about Palestine and hear about the problems, occupation, walls, racism, house demolitions, martyrs, prisoners etc. No one knows about our culture and especially our music. Our music is a very special thing, because artists in general, and the Palestinian artists in particular have a message that not any other artist in the world can speak about because the situation we are living in is a special one."

Producers, festival organisers and booking agents from around the world are at the opening.

Twenty-one local bands will perform live during the three days. Locals can attend their concerts for a fee of 20 Shekels (around 5 US dollars).

Delegates tour the nearby Qalandia refugee camp and watch a local Hip Hop band called Saa'leek whose members grew up in and around the camp.

In their music they talk about cultural and political issues that they face.

Band member Tayseer Qatoum, 25, explains how Saa'leek toured the camp with the delegates because they wanted to talk about themselves as refugees and how living in the camp affected their music.

"We are not a social class, one day we will go back to our lands. That's why we brought them (the delegates) to the camp and told them our stories", he says.

Rami Younis adds that the aim is to have this Expo every year with the hope of encouraging local musicians to produce more music.

"I hope that every band that performs in the Palestinian Music Expo will be able to perform in international festivals and I wish that they all sign with international companies and publish albums and I wish that their music will be able to reach every place in the world", he says.

People from the British music industry helped organise the event. Stephan Budd, Chairman of the Music Managers' forum in the UK says he's there to see if there is anything commercial that could be exported to the West.

Ramallah, West Bank – 5 April 2017

1. Various of concert by Talila

2. Various of people queuing to enter

3. SOUNDDBITE (Arabic) Chrsitine Far, Nazareth resident:

"I hope that this will be a platform for a promising future for those bands. I hope that our voice will reach to places outside Palestine. I hope that this will be a good chance for those bands to be famous. I'm very excited and touched because this is not a very normal event (it's a special event). I'm very happy and the atmosphere here is great."

4. Close up of banner reading (English) "Palestine Music Expo"

Qalandia refugee camp, West Bank – 5 April 2017

5. Various of Palestinian activist speaking to music industry delegates during tour in camp

6. Mid of stone on wall reading in Arabic a prayer from the Quran and a name of someone who was killed in that area

7. Tayseer Qatoum from Saa'leek band speaking to delegates

8. Delegates walking past graffiti reading (Arabic) "Palestine"

9. Wide of delegates in camp

10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rami Younis, founder and organiser of Palestine Music Expo:

"We came up with this idea so the whole world knows about Palestine and hear about the problems, occupation, walls, racism, house demolitions, martyrs, prisoners etc. No one knows about our culture and especially our music. Our music is a very special thing, because artists in general, and the Palestinian artists in particular have a message that not any other artist in the world can speak about because the situation we are living in is a special one. Now this is the time to shed light on Palestinian music and try to connect it to the world."

11. Various of Saa'leek band singing at studio with visitors watching and filming on phones

12. People applauding the band

13. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Tayseer Qatoum, member of Saa'leek band:

"When we worked with the (Palestinian Music) Expo, we wanted to talk especially about the refugees. We are not a social class, one day we will go back to our lands. That's why we brought them (the delegates) to the camp and told them our stories, because they are here to attend the Palestinian Music Expo and the Palestinian camps and those streets are part of the Palestinian music identity."

Qalandia, West Bank – 5 April 2017

14. Delegates touring area near separation barrier

15. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rami Younis, Founder and organiser of Palestine Music Expo:

"I hope that every band that performs in the Palestinian Music Expo will be able to perform in international festivals and I wish that they all sign with international companies and publish albums and I wish that their music will be able to reach every place in the world. I also wish that the Palestinian Music Expo will make a musical artistic movement between the people so they will be more encouraged to publish more music and to wait for the Expo. Our idea is to do it every year so they can prepare themselves (with new music) for 2018 and 2019."

16. More of delegates near wall

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephan Budd, Chairman of the Music Managers' Forum in the UK:

"I want to get a real insight into the kind of music that's being made in Palestine and what the motivations are for making the music to see if there is something commercial here as well that can be exported to the West. Recently I went and saw a fantastic Palestinian group called 47 Soul play in London who were remarkably good and I imagine that there will be other musicians of similar quality and I'm really looking forward to discovering those people."

Qalandia refugee camp, West Bank – 5 April 2017

18. Pan from house of Palestinian family which was demolished by the Israeli army to delegates during tour

19. Activist speaking to delegates

20. Various of tour

Qalandia Checkpoint, West Bank – 5 April 2017

21. Wide of graffiti of imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti (left) and late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat

22. Wide of checkpoint with barrier

STORY: PALESTINIANS

LOCATION: WEST BANK/GAZA

DATE: 1/1

DURATION: 1.06

Arafat at Fatah rally; Arab demo at al-Khader

PLO leader Yasser Arafat on Sunday (1/1) vowed the Palestinians

would continue their struggle until the creation of a state of

Palestine. During celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of his

Fatah faction, Arafat promised supporters the capital of a future

Palestinian state would be Jerusalem and said "those who don't

like that can drink the Gaza seawater." Israel captured Arab East

Jerusalem in 1967 and has declared it the "eternal, undivided"

capital of the Jewish state. Thousands of people turned out for

the Palestinian celebrations held in a Gaza football stadium for

the first birthday party for Fatah since the launch of limited

Palestinian self-rule in Gaza and Jericho in May. In the West

Bank, Palestinians continued protests against the construction of

new homes by Israeli settlers. Demonstrators turned out at the al-

Khader site near Kiryat Sefer settlement, where they said settlers

had taken over more than 100 hectares (250 acres) of Arab-owned

land near Deir Qiddis. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, under

pressure from his left-centre Cabinet, ordered his attorney

general to investigate whether construction at al-Khader - a

private project mounted by settlers from neighbouring Efrat -

could be halted. Rabin took office in 1992 and promised to curb

settlements, home to more than 100,000 Jews. Leaders of the West

Bank's one million Palestinians see the settlers as a provocation.

SHOWS:

(NABLUS 1/1) Troupe of palestinian dancers on stage. Man

dancing in crowd. Women singing and clapping.

(GAZA 1/1) PLO chairman Yasser Arafat on stage, addressing crowd.

Arafat saying the uprising was a success..."but we rely on you in

the stuggle with the future." WS crowd. Arafat planting olive

tree. Arafat saluting as he walks past supporters.

(DEIR QIDDIS 1/1) WS Palestinian demonstrators heading towards

settlement, carrying Palestinian flags. Three soldiers approach

group. Soldier mingles with demonstrators.

STORY: PALESTINIANS

LOCATION: JERICHO, WEST BANK/GAZA

DATE: 23 NOVEMBER 1994

DURATION: 1.11

Arafat calls for elections as supporters rally

More than 10,000 Palestinians demonstrated in Jericho on Wednesday

(23/11) in a show of support for PLO leader Yasser Arafat, who

called for elections to be held as soon as possible. "It must be

clear to everyone that we are in favour of democracy and pluralism

and we insist on the need to hold elections as early as possible,"

Arafat told journalists in Gaza. His comments - and Wednesday's

rally - followed last Friday's clashes between the Palestinian

police and hardline Islamic fundamentalists in Gaza City in which

16 people were killed and 200 were wounded. Palestinians from

across the occupied West Bank were taken by bus to a rally called

by Arafat's Fatah faction in the self-rule enclave of Jericho.

Dozens of Fatah Hawks and Black Panthers (Arafat's armed

supporters) brandished rifles. Arafat has been trying to regain

the initiative after last weeks's clashes which raised the spectre

of a Palestinian civil war. But in Gaza City, the division of the

palestinian community was emphasised yet again at the mosque where

last week's troubles started. Hamas supporters packed the mosque

for a memorial for a Hazam al-Dalo a militant commander killed in

the clashes. They accused the PLO of serving the interests of the

Fatah faction ahead of all others.

SHOWS:

(JERICHO, WEST BANK, 23/11) Chanting Arafat supporters.

Militiaman on car with rifle. WS of demonstration. Car passing

with armed miliatiamen aboard. CU militiaman with kalashnikov.

Pickup truck passing with Fatah supporters and flags. Low shot of

women chanting and drumming. Fatah supporters marching and holding

rifles.

(GAZA 23/11) CU Arafat pulling out to WS of meeting. WS Hamas

supporters chanting at memorial. Cleric chanting prayer. WS Hamas

supporters at memorial. Cleric chanting. Chanting Hamas

supporters.

T/I: 10:44:31

King Hussein of Jordan made a dramatic vow of support for the Palestinians on Tuesday (15/10)during his first trip to the West Bank since he lost the territory to Israel in 1967.

The two leaders arrived to a red-carpet welcome from Amman in a Jordanian army helicopter piloted by King Hussein.

SHOWS:

JERICHO, WEST BANK. 15/10.

Military helicopter landing;

military band playing;

crowds circling landed helicopter;

Yasser Arafat and King Hussein emerge surrounded by throng of minders;

troops to attention;

Hussein and Arafat walking along red carpet to podium;

VS photo-op. Hussein and Arafat;

arriving for presser;

SOT Yasser Arafat, Palestinian leader: "His majesty is continuing in the same time to give all his efforts with us, the Israelis and others for the peace process and we have to thank his majesty for what he is doing";

King Hussein of Jordan: "We hope the promise will be a real determination for all of us, because what is at stake is the peace future of all of our people in this region and everything we've done so far all the region. Whatever I can do to help I will be more than happy to do";

SOT Arafat continues:

"They are repeating security, security. If you don't trust your soldiers or our soldiers call upon the international presence and the participation of the american army. There is an american army in the Sinai and the Golan Heights why not Hebron. That would close the argument on security with american presence. 140 settlers there would be protected by this american presence"

WS presser

Runs 3.58

SHOTLIST:

Bethlehem, West Bank - 7 May 2012

1. Close-up of computer screens showing "The President" show being edited

2. Close-up of hand on keyboard

3. Wide of production team in edit room

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Seema Rasool, Producer, "The President:"

"We want the voices of the youths to be heard. For generations we've had the same leaders, we've had Abu Ammar (Yasser Arafat) and now Abu Mazen (Mahmoud

Abbas), so we feel like it's time for the youth, their voices to be heard and have a chance for them to be heard."

5. Wide of studio with panel of judges

6. Various of show participant Bashar Farashat talking to judges

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bashar Farashat, "The President" show participant:

"Actually I see myself in this programme because I have potential and like my ambition to be in the political side in the future."

8. Wide of Farashat talking to judges

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bashar Farashat, "The President" show participant:

"Me and my friends, now we are thinking to form a new party. It's called 'Truth' party. We will focus about social activities and political activities for the youth. We'll ask most of the Palestinian youths to enter this party, it's a new party in the Palestinian state and after that, if there is any election for a Palestinian parliament or for the president we will go for that."

10. Mid of Farashat talking to Khoulod Deibes, former Palestinian tourism minister and "The President" judge

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Khoulod Deibes, former Palestinian tourism minister and "The President" judge:

"We don't see actually a lot of young men and women candidating for he president, to be president. We don't see even political parties nominating young people for higher positions. So it's to encourage the youth to be more involved, to be more interested in political issues and also I think it is good for the leadership to hear what this youth is thinking."

12. Mid of Deibes talking to contestant

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Waed Al-Fararjeh, "The President" show participant:

"If we have powerful women who has great imagination and great talent, a great personality and charisma and great reading mind, I think that the Palestinians wouldn't mind."

Betula, near Hebron, West Bank - 9 May 2012

14. Mid of dancers performing traditional dance on stage

15. Mid of contestant Farashat dancing at wedding

16. Wide of screen showing "The President" at Farashat's wedding celebrations

17. Wide of wedding guests watching "The President" show

18. Zoom out from screen showing Farashat on show, to crowd

19. SOUNDBITE: (English) Fawaz Sharawi, wedding guest:

"My personal view it's really very important for the Palestinian youths to have such a programme. And especially during these days and after the two Intifada's that the Palestinian youths had, so for my side I really support (it) and I'm very happy and I'm very grateful to have such a programme."

20. High shot of show being projected onto screen, crowd in front

STORYLINE:

The Palestinians have not elected a president since 2005, but now they are finally getting a chance to do so - virtually - thanks to a hit reality TV show.

"The President" is broadcast weekly on Maan TV, a popular independent Palestinian TV station.

It offers contestants a chance to address the Palestinian people on what they would do on a variety of subjects if elected president.

They are grilled by a panel of politicians, professors and business people who, with input from the audience, vote them off - something they are unable to do in the real world, where their president is still in office several years after his term was supposed to expire.

Thousands of young Palestinians who applied to take part in the show have been whittled down to 15.

A winner will be crowned in the finale scheduled for late June and get to travel the world as a mock Palestinian ambassador, and perhaps win a car as well.

The show's producer, Seema Rasool, said that if there are no elections in practice, there should at least be some on TV.

"We want the voices of the youths to be heard. For generations we've had the same leaders, we've had Abu Ammar (Yasser Arafat) and now Abu Mazen (Mahmoud

Abbas), so we feel like it's time for the youth, their voices to be heard and have a chance for them to be heard," said Rasool.

The original 1,200 participants selected to compete were all between the ages of 20-35, held a university degree and were born in the Palestinian territories.

For each episode, they are given questions from the panel on issues such as Israeli settlements, the death penalty and how to revive the struggling economy.

One of the participants, Bashar Farashat, said that he is thinking of forming a new party that would appeal to younger Palestinians.

"It's called 'Truth' party. We will focus about social activities and political activities for the youth," he said.

"We'll ask most of the Palestinian youths to enter this party, it's a new party in the Palestinian state and after that, if there is any election for a Palestinian parliament or for the president we will go for that."

Farashat set up a giant screen at his wedding in the Betula village near the West Bank city of Hebron on Thursday so that guests could watch him appear on the recorded "The President" show.

"I really support (it) and I'm very happy and very grateful to have such a programme," said Fawaz Sharawi, one of the guests.

In their 20 years of limited self-rule, the Palestinians have had just two presidential elections.

In 1996, long-time Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was elected for a five-year term.

He ruled without another election until he died in 2004.

The following year, Mahmoud Abbas was elected for a four-year term.

He has been in power ever since with no elections in sight.

Critics accuse Abbas of planning on following Arafat's example, planning to rule until he dies.

Abbas has no deputy, and his popular prime minister, Salam Fayyad, recently resigned in a power struggle with the president.

Abbas says he is willing to conduct elections, but first he needs to end the internal split between his government, based in the West Bank, and the militant Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.

Talks have been going on for years without any significant progress.

Mass protests have removed long-time leaders in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Yemen. Syria is engulfed in a civil war.

In contrast, the traditional Palestinian leadership has not been challenged, despite years of failed peace efforts with Israel and the bitter internal divide with Hamas.

"The President" provides a rare outlet to take public shots at the 78-year-old Abbas.

Khoulod Deibes, former Palestinian tourism minister and "The President" judge, said she hopes the show will lead to young people having an active role in politics.

"We don't see even political parties nominating young people for higher positions. So it's to encourage the youth to be more involved, to be more interested in political issues and also I think it is good for the leadership here to hear what this youth is thinking," she said.

SHOTLIST:

1. Night time shot of armoured personnel carrier (APC) driving by "Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation" (PBC) sign

2. APC drives into carpark in front of PBC offices

3. Israeli soldiers inside PBC building

4. Explosion and lights go out

5. Wide of PBC building in flames

6. Day time wide of exterior of damaged building

7. Wide shot of building entrance

8. Pan of damage along the side of building

9. Pan from Arafat poster to wrecked PBC facade

10. Various of interior damage

11. Looking outside through damaged window

12. Wide shot of exterior of building

13. View from inside building of fire crews on street

14. Setup shot of Ayre Mekel

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Arye Mekel, Israeli Government spokesman:

"We believe that Mr Arafat is behind all these events that have been happening here for a long time, either by directly sending these terrorists or by being responsible for what is going on, because he is the head of the Palestinian Authority that signed the agreement with the state of Israel. Therefore there is no choice but to increase the pressure on the Palestinian Authority and on Mr Arafat personally until he will take the necessary action and make the decision to join the forces of the world today who fight terrorism."

16. Exterior of radio building - location unknown

17. Zoom into Palestinian DJ

18. Radio masts on building

19. SOUNDBITE: (English) Radwan Abu Aysh, Chairman of the Palestinian National Broadcasting Corporation:

"Regardless that they (the Israelis) have destroyed the building but they didn't destroy the love for Palestine from our hearts."

20. Man in taxi listening to radio broadcasts

21. Men in tobacconist listening to radio

22. Close up radio

23. Various of tanks surrounding Arafat's office

24. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Azam El-Ahmad, Palestinian Authority Minister for Public Works:

"Israel can not take anything from the Palestinians by force. Either they sit down at the negotiating table or everything will be turned upside down. We will not be able to continue to speak about a ceasefire from our side. If they don't fulfill their part then the whole area will erupt in fire."

25. Zoom in from wide of stone throwers to Israeli jeeps pulling up and troops firing

26. Mid of young protesters throwing stones from among burning tyres

27. Various of Israeli soldiers firing from their jeeps

28. Children running from tear gas

29. Ambulance arriving

STORYLINE:

The situation in the Middle East remained tense on Saturday night after three days of violence between Israeli security forces and Palestinians.

The Israeli army made significant incursions into Palestinian territory on Saturday, destroying an important Palestinian media centre and reinforcing an armoured blockade of Yasser Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah

Several tanks and an armored personnel carrier (APC) are now positioned just a few metres (yards) from the entrance to the Palestinian Authority headquarters.

Early on Saturday, Israeli army engineers blew up the Palestinian television and radio broadcasting building in a move aimed at increasing pressure on Yasser Arafat to rein-in terrorist attacks.

Israeli officials have long maintained that the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation has been whipping up anti-Israeli sentiment through propaganda broadcasts.

But, only hours after the media centre was demolished, the broadcasters were back on air.

At an undisclosed location in the West Bank town of Ramallah, 'The Voice of Palestine' began broadcasting from a small, private Palestinian radio station.

Palestine television also used alternative facilities in the Gaza Strip.

Late on Saturday the troops and tanks sealing off Arafat's compound in Ramallah came under attack from stone throwing youths.

The Israeli troops responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, it's unclear whether there were any injuries.

T/I 10:09:40

STORY: MIDEAST

LOCATION: MIDDLE EAST

DATE: 4 JULY-FILE

DURATION: 1.32

More self-rule agreed for the West Bank

PLO leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres

said on Tuesday (4/7) that Israel and the PLO have agreed to sign

an accord that will expand Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank.

The accord will be signed on July 25. Arafat and Peres, who met at

Arafat's headquarters in Gaza City, said the two sides had not yet

agreed on the details. The announcement came against a backdrop of

considerable unrest. On Monday, the West Bank town of Nablus shut

down in a general strike to protest against the continued

detention of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. There were

also sporadic clashes between Israeli troops and stone-throwing

Palestinian youths.

SHOWS:

(GAZA 4/7)

Peres and Arafat face mikes - Peres intoduces Arafat. Peres SOT: "The two delegations will start to put everything in writing and in order. We shall make a supreme effort to conclude everthing in writing before the end of this month, namely on July the 25th, and I think both of us are anxious really to change the relationship between the Palestinians and the Israelis, and to see our two peoples co-exist in dignity, in

security, in peace, in hope."

(JENIN, WEST BANK FILE)

Jenin rooftops. Top shot Jenin - hills in background. Top shot of man on bike in market.

(NABLUS - FILE) Aeriels Nablus.

(TULKAREM - FILE) Soldier standing.

(GAZA 4/7)

Arafat SOT: "Today we can say that we have achieved

something concrete in our hand - so that we can have very soon the

agreement for the redeployment and after that the election,

putting into our consideration the Israeli need for security and

to face terrorism."

SHOTLIST(including transcript):-

AP Television

Bethlehem, West Bank - 10 August 2013

1. Zoom in of Syrian singer Assala Nasri arriving at stage

2. Mid of group of fans waving Palestinian flag

3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Assala Nasri, Syrian singer:

"I know about the difficulties that you all faced to be able to make it today here, I really appreciate it, I wish that you all will go back to your homes today, with no regrets. I know how hard it is to come here."

4. Wide shot of crowd clapping

5. Various of Assala singing

6. Mid of crowd clapping

7. Wide shot of Assala singing

8. Mid of band playing music

9. More of Assala singing

10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Razan Milhem, from Ramallah:

"I'm so happy that she came here, this is a good thing for Palestine, especially for the Palestinians to have fun and feel that they are like any other country, they can host artists just like any arab country."

10. Wide shot of group dancing traditional dance on stage

11. Wide of crowd clapping

12. Mid of Assala singing, group dancing

13. Mid of musicians playing

14. More of group dancing

15. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Aleef Labbis, from Nazareth:

"Assala is a Syrian Arab singer, we love her, and loved her for years. We came to Bethlehem from Nazareth to see her, and as Palestinians from all over we came to make a connection with the Syrian people through her."

16. Mid of security at concert

AP Television

Bethlehem, West Bank - 11 August 2013:

17. Wide shot of presser

18. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Assala Nasri, Syrian singer:

"Yesterday when I visited the Nativity church, when I entered, as a Muslim, I felt I'm in a place of worship. I felt I want to cry, as if this place is where my father was buried. I was really deeply moved by the place."

19. Mid of presser

20. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Assala Nasri, Syrian singer:

"My position was in support of the Syrian revolution, my position was in support of the moderate and civilised Syrian youth. We all supported them in the bingeing of the revolution, all the Arab world also supported them. I don't live in the Gulf, I live in Cairo. My position is also clear regarding the Egyptian revolution, and I also supported the second revolution there."

AP Television

Bethlehem, West Bank - 10 August 2013

17. Wide shot of Assala singing

18. End shot of crowds clapping

STORYLINE

SYRIAN SINGER ASSALA NASRI PERFORMS IN BETHLEHEM

The four-day West Bank visit by Syrian music star Assala Nasri, a prominent supporter of her country's revolution, marked a rare appearance this weekend by a Syrian citizen in the Palestinian territories.

Israel and Syria are longtime enemies who are still officially in a state of war with each other. Travel between the two countries is all but impossible, though some members of Israel's Druze minority are allowed to cross into Syria to study or visit family.

Nasri, who holds a Bahraini passport along with her Syrian one, arrived in the West Bank on Friday (9AUG2013) to sing at a festival promoting tourism in the biblical city of Bethlehem. It was her first trip to the Palestinian territories, and Nasri enthused at a Sunday (11AUG2013) press conference about the experience, especially about her visit to the Nativity church.

"I was really deeply moved by the place," she said.

Nasri's concert on Saturday attracted thousands of Palestinians and Arab Israelis, who were rewarded with traditional nationalist Palestinian and Syrian songs. The singer grew emotional as she sang the wistful lyrics to a Syrian tune: "God bring back the old days."

The crowd seemed pleased to have the Syrian star in the West Bank.

"I'm so happy that she came here, this is a good thing for Palestine, especially for the Palestinians to have fun and feel that they are like any other country, they can host artists just like any Arab country," said Razan Milhem, a Ramallah resident.

"We came to Bethlehem from Nazareth to see her, and as Palestinians from all over we came to make a connection with the Syrian people through her," explained Aleef Labbis, from Nazareth, a city in northern Israel.

But others were upset by Nasri's outspoken support of the revolution against Syrian President Bashar Assad.

"From the beginning, I stood alongside the Syrian revolution, alongside the educated Syrians, nationalist, civilized and moderate youths," Nasri said on Sunday.

A group of Assad supporters staged a protest in Bethlehem against Nasri's visit, but police kept them away from the concert. The concert also drew criticism on social media websites.

Nasri received extensive honors from the Palestinian Authority. President Mahmoud Abbas greeted her in Ramallah on Friday afternoon, and presidential guards have accompanied her on her tour. Nasri also laid a wreath at the grave of former Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

The singer also toured Hebron and Israel's separation barrier with the West Bank during her trip. She is expected to visit Jerusalem on Monday before departing.