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. Various of tanks

2. Graffiti on wall, reading: (English) 'tanks go home'

3. Various of tanks in street

4. Various Israeli troops in streets

5. Various Israeli tanks driving down streets

6. Boy throwing stones at tanks

7. Molotov cocktail being thrown and exploding on tank

8. Israeli soldier in tank

9. Palestinian youths attempting to put Palestinian flag on Israeli tank

10. Palestinian youths on street

STORYLINE:

In the biggest sweep in months, Israeli troops hunting for militants stormed dozens of homes in the West Bank city of Nablus on Wednesday, ordering residents to line up at dawn as tanks blocked roads and helicopters hovered above.

Yasser Arafat denounced the raid as a "new war crime that the Israeli forces are committing against our people, our cities and our villages."

The Nablus raid was triggered by a weekend shooting attack at Kibbutz Metzer, an Israeli communal farm. The attack by a gunman left five Israelis dead, including two small children -- brothers aged four and five years -- and their mother.

Hundreds of soldiers backed by about 100 armored vehicles and helicopter gunships poured into Nablus before dawn Wednesday.

It was the biggest sweep in the city since Israel's "Defensive Shield" offensive in April, and military commentators said they expected the operation to go on for many days.

Troops have been in Nablus for most of the past seven months, enforcing curfews and manning checkpoints.

The focus of Wednesday's raid were several alleged militant strongholds -- the Old City, two neighborhoods near An Najah University as well as the Balata and Askar refugee camps on the outskirts of Nablus.

There were sporadic gunfights but no injuries. Several explosions were heard in Nablus' Old City, or Casbah, apparently set off by soldiers breaking open doors.

Tanks sealed all exits from the Casbah, a maze of alleys and underground passages and the scene of fierce fighting in April. Troops took over a nearby girls' elementary school as a makeshift base.

Israel declared Nablus a closed military zone, and soldiers barred journalists from taking pictures or talking to those rounded up. The army said 30 suspected militants were arrested in the raid.

SHOTLIST

APTN

1. Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath surrounded by media

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Nabil Shaath, Palestinian Foreign Minister:

"Well, I mean the questions discussed really related to the return to the peace process, the necessary support for our free elections, to have elections for presidential, legislative and local elections. That requires the voting of east Jerusalemites and that requires real security and pulling out of the cities and villages by the Israeli forces."

3. Various of Mahmoud Abbas, interim Palestinian leader, leaving

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ahmed Qureia, Palestinian Prime Minister:

"And including the peace process, the road map with the disengagement...is this a new bypass to kill the road map? Or where should it be located, in what phase, the disengagement? In phase one? Let's say it's part of phase one. In phase two? Let's say it's part of phase two. Or let's say that it is the end, then everybody can take his position."

POOL

5. Powell walking out

6. Wide of media

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Colin Powell, US Secretary of State:

"I am very pleased to learn from them how seriously they are taking the upcoming election that will be held on the 9th of January. I am pleased with the level of coordination and cooperation that now exists between the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority to make sure that those elections can be held. The Israeli authorities said to me earlier that they will do everything that they can to commit freedom of movement and access for candidates as well as for voters on election day. Both sides seem confident that they will be able to work out a solution for the question of people living in Jerusalem to have their ballots counted as well."

8. Wide of media

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Colin Powell, US Secretary of State:

"The issue of security was discussed in both Jerusalem this morning and here in Jericho. In order for this process to move forward and for us to achieve our goals of a Palestinian state that will be living in peace side by side with Israel we have to make sure that terrorists are not committed to once again stop this process. Both sides understand the need for ending terror and ending the incitement to terror and providing security for people so they can live safely in their homes, where ever those homes may be in this land."

10. Powell leaving

STORYLINE

US Secretary of State Colin Powell met Palestinian officials in the West Bank town of Jericho on Monday.

Among the officials he met were Palestinian interim leader Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and the interim Palestinian Authority president Rauhi Fattouh.

The Palestinians asked Powell to ensure that Israel withdraw troops from West Bank population centres ahead of the elections on January 9.

They said he did not pass along any specific Israeli commitments regarding the vote.

Israel reoccupied West Bank towns during a 2002 military offensive.

Troops have since withdrawn from some areas, but continue to enforce travel restrictions on Palestinians.

Palestinians say they need freedom of movement for the vote.

Powell arrived in Jericho from talks with Israeli leaders, who assured him that they would do their utmost to allow Palestinian elections to take place, including easing travel restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

In a sign of improving ties after four years of fighting in the region, Israeli officials also said they were willing to renew talks with the Palestinians on some issues, including security, and to coordinate the aftermath of Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank in 2005.

Israel had refused to negotiate with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who died on November 11.

Following the talks in Jericho, Powell said that the United States would do what it could to ensure peaceful elections.

He also called on Israel and the Palestinians to renew their commitments in the "road map" peace plan, which was launched in June 2003, but never got off the ground.

The plan requires Israel to freeze settlements in the first phase and asks the Palestinians to dismantle militant groups.

The United States supports the Israeli plans to the Gaza withdrawal, but has said it must be part of the road map.

The peace plan initially envisioned the establishment of a Palestinian state by 2005, but US President George W. Bush said recently that he'd be

pushing for Palestinian statehood in the next four years.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia has urged the United States to stick to the original timetable.

This demand was raised in Monday's meeting.

Powell said that while a Palestinian state should be established as soon as possible, it is up to Israel and the Palestinians to negotiate a peace

deal.

He reassured Palestinian officials that the United States did not consider the Gaza withdrawal as a replacement of the road map.

SHOTLIST

APTN

1. Interim Palestinian Authority president Rauhi Fattouh enters hotel

2. PLO chief and interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (also known as Abu Mazen), enters hotel

3. US Secretary of State Colin Powell enters hotel, shakes hands with Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath, poses for photographers

4. Exterior of hotel

AGENCY POOL

5. Powell and Palestinian leadership seated, Powell and Abbas stand, shake hands

6. Cutaway of aids seated

APTN

7. Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath surrounded by media

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Nabil Shaath, Palestinian Foreign Minister:

"Well, I mean the questions discussed really related to the return to the peace process, the necessary support for our free elections, to have elections for presidential, legislative and local elections. That requires the voting of east Jerusalemites and that requires real security and pulling out of the cities and villages by the Israeli forces."

3. Various of Mahmoud Abbas, interim Palestinian leader, leaving

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ahmed Qureia, Palestinian Prime Minister:

"And including the peace process, the road map with the disengagement, is this a new bypass to kill the road map? Or where should it be located, in what phase, the disengagement? In phase one? Let's say it's part of phase one. In phase two? Let's say it's part of phase two. Or let's say that it is the end, then everybody can make his position accordingly."

POOL

5. Powell walking to microphone

6. Wide of media

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Colin Powell, US Secretary of State:

"I am very pleased to learn from them how seriously they are taking the upcoming election that will be held on the 9th of January. I am pleased with the level of coordination and cooperation that now exists between the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority to make sure that those elections can be held. The Israeli authorities said to me earlier that they will do everything that they can to commit freedom of movement and access for candidates as well as for voters on election day. Both sides seem confident that they will be able to work out a solution for the question of people living in Jerusalem to have their ballots counted as well."

8. Wide of media

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Colin Powell, US Secretary of State:

"The issue of security was discussed in both Jerusalem this morning and here in Jericho. In order for this process to move forward and for us to achieve our goals of a Palestinian state that will be living in peace side by side with Israel we have to make sure that terrorists are not committed to once again stop this process. Both sides understand the need for ending terror and ending the incitement to terror and providing security for people so they can live safely in their homes, where ever those homes may be in this land."

10. Powell leaves

STORYLINE

US Secretary of State Colin Powell met Palestinian officials in the West Bank town of Jericho on Monday.

Among the officials he met were Palestinian interim leader Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and the interim Palestinian Authority president Rauhi Fattouh.

The Palestinians asked Powell to ensure that Israel withdraw troops from West Bank population centres ahead of the elections on January 9.

They said he did not pass along any specific Israeli commitments regarding the vote.

Israel reoccupied West Bank towns during a 2002 military offensive.

Troops have since withdrawn from some areas, but continue to enforce travel restrictions on Palestinians.

Palestinians say they need freedom of movement for the vote.

Powell arrived in Jericho from talks with Israeli leaders, who assured him that they would do their utmost to allow Palestinian elections to take place, including easing travel restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

In a sign of improving ties after four years of fighting in the region, Israeli officials also said they were willing to renew talks with the Palestinians on some issues, including security, and to coordinate the aftermath of Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank in 2005.

Israel had refused to negotiate with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who died on November 11.

Following the talks in Jericho, Powell said that the United States would do what it could to ensure peaceful elections.

He also called on Israel and the Palestinians to renew their commitments in the "road map" peace plan, which was launched in June 2003, but never got off the ground.

The plan requires Israel to freeze settlements in the first phase and asks the Palestinians to dismantle militant groups.

The United States supports the Israeli plans to the Gaza withdrawal, but has said it must be part of the road map.

The peace plan initially envisioned the establishment of a Palestinian state by 2005, but US President George W. Bush said recently that he'd be

pushing for Palestinian statehood in the next four years.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia has urged the United States to stick to the original timetable.

This demand was raised in Monday's meeting.

Powell said that while a Palestinian state should be established as soon as possible, it is up to Israel and the Palestinians to negotiate a peace

deal.

He reassured Palestinian officials that the United States did not consider the Gaza withdrawal as a replacement of the road map.

Palestinian officials in the West Bank city of Ramallah marked the start of the Eid al-Fitr holiday on Monday, which ends the fasting month of Ramadan.

After morning prayers Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and other officials laid a wreath at late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's grave.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Hamdallah called upon the international community to demand Israel to stop their "aggression" on the Gaza Strip.

Hamdallah also said his government will continue "to reach out to the international institutions and human rights organisations" to pressure Israel to stop the airstrikes and to investigate Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

So far the three-week long conflict has killed 1,030 Palestinians and 43 Israeli soldiers.

AP TELEVISION

Ramallah

1. Various of Palestinian officials during prayers

2. Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah (striped blue tie)

3. Officials praying

4. Hamdallah praying

5. Various of officials praying

6. Hamdallah inspecting honour guard

7. Hamdallah laying wreath at late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's mausoleum

8. Close of Arafat's grave

9. Hamdallah walking up to reporter

10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rami Hamdallah, Palestinian Prime Minister:

"Palestinians demand an urgent cease-fire to stop the attacks on our children and people in the Gaza Strip. This abuse must stop at all costs. We call upon all international institutions and countries to call on Israel to stop this aggression immediately, so that we can save what can still be saved in the Gaza Strip."

11. Hamdallah shaking hands with officials

12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rami Hamdallah, Palestinian Prime Minister:

"We offered this to the UN Security Council to make a decision. But unfortunately they did not come to a decision. We are going to continue to reach out to the international institutions and human rights organisations. Now we put our trust in this until we are able to go to international criminal courts with evidence of the crimes that are happening across the Gaza Strip day and night."

13. Palestinian presidential compound

14. Various of families at cemetery, praying by graves

15. Fence of cemetery

SHOTLIST:

1. Wideshot of Palestinian Information Minister, Yasser Abed Rabbo with British consul Geoffrey Adams

2. Various of photo opportunity

3. Rabbo and Adams walking past camera

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Yasser Abed Rabbo, Palestinian Information Minister

"We have received an invitation from the Prime Minister of Great Britain to hold a meeting in London at the beginning of next year in order to discuss two main issues: the road map which is now being studied by the Quartet (American, UN, Russian and European officials) in Washington and the reform plan in order to facilitate the process of building a Palestinian independent state."

5. Wideshot of press conference

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Marwan Dubasy, Head of Executive Committee of Arab-Orthodox Conference:

"Due to the closure of Bethlehem city and the curfew imposed on Bethlehem and due to the neglecting of our aspirations regarding the travel of Mr President Arafat to Bethlehem - as usual we are not going to celebrate popularly in the Christmas event. The Christmas event will only take place in the churches, celebrations will not take place. This is the first time that Christians and not only Palestinians but also from different countries couldn't reach Bethlehem on this peaceful event."

7. Wide shot of presser

8. Exterior of building

STORYLINE:

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has accepted an invitation from the British government to send a delegation to London to discuss Middle East peace prospects, Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said on Tuesday.

Neither the Palestinian Authority or the U.K. has provided details about who will make up the delegation.

Arafat has been confined to his Ramallah office for a year. Israel has said he may leave, but if he does so he may not be allowed to return.

British consul Geoffrey Adams gave Arafat the letter from British Prime Minister Tony Blair inviting the delegation in the new year.

No Israel-Palestinian peace talks have taken place in nearly two years.

Also on Tuesday, Arab-Orthodox Conference head, Marwan Dubasy reacted to the Israeli Cabinet's decision on Sunday to bar Arafat from Bethlehem during this year's Christmas celebrations.

Israel says it will keep troops in the town of Jesus' birth throughout the holiday because of security threats.

The Palestinians, who take great pride in hosting the Christmas services in Manger Square that attract Christian pilgrims from around the world, sharply criticised the Israeli ban.

English/Nat

While the outcome of the Camp David peace talks hangs in the balance, Palestinians and Israelis have been caught up in fresh scuffles.

As negotiations approach the two-week mark, Arabs anxiously watching the Camp David talks from afar, fear success almost as much as failure.

Palestinians are preparing for the worst.

In the West Bank city of Nablus, these children have just started a two week military training camp.

Over the next fortnight, they'll be versed in the fundamentals of armed and hand-to-hand combat.

But speaking in Nablus, Palestinian negotiator Hanan Ashrawi cautioned against violence.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I don't believe that violence is an option, we should not be carried away by all the Israeli provocations, all the Israeli mobilisation, the training, the arming of the settlers, the redeployment of troops, the intensification of Israeli presence, these are attempts at intimidation, at keeping the military option open."

SUPER CAPTION: Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian negotiator

In Tekoa, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, Israeli soldiers clubbed Palestinians who were trying to stop construction of a road.

The Palestinian villagers had sat down in front of two bulldozers which were levelling ground for a road to a hilltop which the Palestinians said was on their land.

Around 50 soldiers cleared the Palestinians out of the way, beating them with clubs and rifle butts.

Three of the Palestinian demonstrators were arrested by Israeli soldiers.

The Palestinians have demanded removal of all Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as one of the conditions for a permanent peace treaty.

In the city of Jerusalem, settlers and right wing supporters are trying to win public opinion all over the country.

Settlers were giving away leaflets and holding banners at crossroads and collecting signatures from passing by.

Many are opposed to the concessionary line being taken by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak at the Camp David talks.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I'm here to keep my home. We're fighting and we're trying to tell everyone that what Barak is doing isn't right."

SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop, settler

Despite right-wing rallies calling on Prime Minister Ehud Barak to come home from Camp David, a poll published Monday shows that 59 percent of Israelis hope some deal will be reached at the U-S-hosted summit.

But in the same poll, half of those questioned objected to a hypothetical final-status deal along the lines widely described by the media as being discussed at Camp David.

The hypothetical deal includes Israel surrendering about 90 percent of the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, for a Palestinian state and in Jerusalem, a measure of Palestinian sovereignty in certain outlying Arab neighborhoods.

By all accounts though, the toughest issue at Camp David has been the status of Jerusalem.

Opposition Likud members continued their attacks on Barak Monday over his reported willingness to make limited concessions on the issue.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"First I believe that maybe Barak, at the last minute, will understand to hold, and not make those concessions which will not bring peace to Israel. His peace is the wrong peace, it's the wrong peace, it is a short term peace. Maybe it serves some of his political ambitions, but it's bad for the nation."

SUPER CAPTION: Likud member

Israeli security officials have predicted that if Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat fail to reach agreement at the summit, there could be an outbreak of violence.

Nablus, West Bank/ Tekoa, West Bank and Jerusalem - July 24, 2000

Nablus, West Bank

1. Wide shot kids in training marching

2. Two boys jumping compound fence

3. Mid shot boys in training running with guns

4. Boys doing crawling along ground

5. Boys performing self-defence exercises

6. Set up Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian negotiator

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian negotiator

Tekoa, West Bank

8. Pull back from bulldozers to wide of old men seated

9. Wide of Israeli soldiers walking down hill

10. Various of Palestinian men being restrained by Israeli soldiers

11. Man being held on ground by Israeli soldier

12. Man taken away by soldiers, soldier puts hand on camera lens

Jerusalem - Old City

13. Wide shot of old city

14. Mid shot dome with Israeli flag

15. Mid shot settlers in old city waving banners and singing

16. Mid shot boy handing out leaflets

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Voxpop, settler

East Jerusalem

18. Wide shot Likud Knesset tour group

19. Pan from group to wide of

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Likud member

21. Wide of tour group

Natural Sound

Thousands of supporters of the Islamic militant group Hamas burned Israeli and U-S flags on Friday during a rally in the divided West Bank city of Hebron.

They were marking the anniversary of a massacre of Muslim worshippers by a Jewish settler in the city.

Waving the green flag of the Islamic movement, the crowd chanted in praise of Izzedine al-Qassam, the Hamas military wing.

Speakers criticized Arafat and the Palestinian Authority for cooperating with Israel in hunting down Hamas militants.

At the same time, a pro-Lebanese anti-Israel rally was held in the West Bank town of Biddo.

On this day in 1994, twenty-nine people were killed when Baruch Goldstein entered the Hebron Tomb of the Patriarchs, a shrine sacred to Muslims and Jews, and opened fire on kneeling worshippers.

Goldstein, who served as a physician in Kiryat Arba, a settlement of 6-thousand people just outside the West Bank town of Hebron, was bludgeoned to death by the angry crowd.

The demonstrators marched through the town waving flags and then carried out a reenactment of the shooting on a stage in the city square.

A youth, playing the role of Goldstein, mowed down other demonstrators with a toy machine-gun.

Paintings of the dead lined the back of the stage.

Hamas is opposed to the interim peace agreement Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat signed with Israel, and supporters used the event to vent their anger again.

Hamas has killed scores of Israelis in bombing attacks.

Among the speakers at the rally was Rafiq Natche, the Palestinian minister of labour and a leader of Arafat's Fatah party in Hebron.

His presence reflected widespread discontent among Arafat's supporters over the deadlock in the peace negotiations with Israel, particularly Israel's refusal to hand over West Bank neighbourhoods close to Jerusalem to the Palestinians.

Meanwhile supporters of the Democratic Federation for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) staged a march in support of the people of Lebanon in the West Bank town of Biddo.

The procession was led by masked drummers who then ceremoniously burned an Israeli flag.

Israel occupies a swath of southern Lebanon it says it needs as a buffer against guerrilla strikes.

The Israeli-Lebanese border is the last active Arab-Israeli war front.

The Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has promised to withdraw Israeli troops from south Lebanon by July.

Hebron and Biddo, West Bank - 25 February 2000

Hebron, West Bank

1. Various Hamas supporters gathering for march

2. Marching through the streets with flags and banners

3. Staging rally

4. Carrying out reenactment of shooting on stage - youth firing toy gun, people falling over and playing dead

5. WS stage with paintings of those killed in 1994 as a backdrop

Biddo, West Bank

6. DFLP supporters marching through streets

7. Masked members playing drums

8. Burning Israeli flag

9. More marching

XFA

English/Nat

Thousands of Palestinians attended the central rally in the West Bank town of Ramallah to celebrate Palestinian Independence day on Monday.

For the past 11 years, Palestinians have been marking November 15th, 1988, the day the Palestine National Council, their parliament-in-exile, declared independence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

While there is no state yet, the Palestinians have used the day to affirm their independence aspirations

Under the Palestinian Authority, Independence Day is a national holiday.

Schools, government offices and many private business are closed.

In recent years, since the Palestinians have actually gained control over some land, the celebrations have became more elaborate.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think, to me, and to Palestinians, it is a happy day, and you can feel it from what is going around you. Because the difference is that six years ago we were all, many of us in exile., many are imprisoned, and Intifada was going on. Now we feel that we are moving towards peace."

SUPER CAPTION: Sacher Habash, a Fatah leader

A dispute over the Israeli withdrawal from 5% of the West Bank however, put a damper on the celebrations in Ramallah.

The troop pullback scheduled for Monday was the second of three stipulated by the most recent interim peace accord.

In all, Israel agreed to withdraw from 11 percent of the West Bank in three stages by January, leaving the Palestinians with full or partial control of 39 percent of the West Bank.

Israel's government last week approved the second withdrawal, under which Israel would transfer three percent of the land to partial and two percent to full Palestinian control.

An Israeli Minister at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem said on Monday that a Palestinian state will be allowed to exist only under certain conditions.

SOUNDBITE: (English):

"A Palestinian State is not an Israeli demand. This is a Palestinian demand and we will response to this demand if some conditions that we will present to them will be accepted."

SUPER CAPTION: Chaim Ramon, Israeli Minister

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has refused to sign the withdrawal maps.

The Palestinians are complaining that the land being offered is too sparsely populated and does not help connect scattered areas already under their control.

Ramallah West Bank and Jerusalem - 15 November 1999

Ramallah, West Bank

1. Long shot thousands of people watching march

2. Palestinian policemen marching

3. Boy waving Palestinian flag

4. Palestinian policemen on horseback

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sacher Habash, a Fatah leader.

6. Children marching

7. Man holding flag

Jerusalem

8. Set up shot of Chaim Ramon, Israeli Minister at the Prime Minister's office

9. SOUNDBITE: (English): Chaim Ramon, Israeli Minister

10. Exterior of Prime Minister's office

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

T/I: 10:14:00 GS 10:19:34

Celebrations continued in West Bank towns on Thursday (14/11) to commemorate "Independence Day"; the day the PLO declared an independent Palestinian state eight years ago. Celebrations in Ramallah started with a march by the Palestinian police force. It was joined by military pipe bands and marching school children and scouts.

In Jerusalem, meanwhile, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators resumed talks on the Hebron. The last session of talks broke up early Thursday morning with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat claiming that no progress had been made.

SHOWS:

WEST BANK / GAZA / JERUSALEM, ISRAEL 14/11

NABLUS, WEST BANK

0.00 Children dancing;

0.05 WS children dancing;

0.08 Children with Palestinian flags;

HEBRON, WEST BANK

0.15 High ws of crowd in square as Palestinian pipe band plays;

0.20 WS pipe band marching;

0.24 High shot of Palestinian pipe band;

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK

0.27 Yasser Arafat poster mounted on car in parade;

0.30 WS of Palestinians through in square with flaming torches;

GAZA

0.35 SOT Arafat: "We didn't achieve any progress. They are still insisting on some points which we cannot accept to change the agreement ... I am not optimistic."

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL

0.47 Car arriving at negotiation centre and zoom into building;

0.53 Negotiator departing talks in car;

0.57 Negotiator photographed as car leaves;

HEBRON, WEST BANK

1.01 Israeli soldiers patrolling streets;

1.06 CU Israeli soldier with rifle guarding Jewish settlement;

1.08 Israeli police with automatic weapons;

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK

1.13 Palestinians marching to drums;

1.19 Palestinian children marching to drum beat;

1.25 ENDS

Ramallah and Nablus, West Bank. November 14 1998

Ramallah

1. Wide shot crowds gathered for parade

2. Palestinians troops with bagpipes marching

3. Troops with flags in parade

4. Soldiers marching

5. Wide shot crowds at parade

Nablus

6. Pan of crowds gathered for celebrations

7. Wide shot Arafat and officials watching parade

8. Poster of Arafat goes past

9. Arafat saluting

10. Crowd chanting and clapping

11. Arafat addressing crowd

12. Crowd cheering

13. Wide shot crowd with Arafat in distance

14. Boy holding poster of Arafat

15. Building with poster of Arafat

16. Arafat and Ross at meeting

17. Zoom in to Ross

18. Delegates at meeting including Saeb Erekat in middle

19. Saeb Erekat and Ross emerging from talks

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Saeb Erekat, Palestinian negotiator

21. Cameraman

22. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dennis Ross, U-S Middle East envoy

Ramallah

23. American and Israeli flag being burned at rally by opponents of peace process - the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine

24. P-F-L-P marchers with masks

25. Wide shot P-F-L-P rally

English/Nat

Palestinians held rallies and military parades in Nablus and the West Bank city of Ramallah to commemorate ten years since the P-L-O (Palestinian Liberation Organisation) first announced it was seeking Palestinian independence.

In his speech, the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat suggested that he still meant to declare a Palestinian state when the Oslo peace accords expire.

Afterwards he met the U-S envoy for the Middle East, Dennis Ross to discuss the delays in implementing the Wye peace deal.

Thousands of Palestinians gathered in the West Bank cities of Ramallah and Nablus to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation's declaration of independence.

It was a declaration which won recognition from over a hundred countries, but the dream has still to be realised.

Despite a historic peace agreement with Israel in Oslo in 1993 the Palestinian territories remain partly occupied.

But Palestinian President Yasser Arafat told the jubilant crowds in Nablus that he is determined to declare a Palestinian state next year with Arab East Jerusalem as its capital whether the Israelis "like it or not".

The 1993 Oslo peace agreement aimed to create a Palestinian state after a five-year interim period.

However, Palestinian hopes were dealt a blow three years later, by the election of right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who has slowed down peace moves.

Following last month's land-for-security deal at the Wye summit, Israel is now scheduled to begin the first stage of a three-phased West Bank pullback on November 16, but has said the withdrawal could be delayed by several days.

In an effort to ensure progress, U-S special envoy Dennis Ross met with Arafat in Nablus following the Palestinian leader's speech to his people.

His aim is to make sure the Wye agreement begins to be implemented.

Under the accord, Israel was to begin a staged troop withdrawal from a further 13 percent of the West Bank on Monday.

But because of delays in getting the agreement through the Israeli Cabinet, Israeli officials have said the pullback will probably begin toward the end of next week.

Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat hopes that Ross's presence will also help bring about the opening of the Palestinian airport in Gaza and the release of prisoners from Israeli jails.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"This time Ambassador Ross's visit is different. He is not here to negotiate, he is not here to come out with fallback positions or bridging proposals. He is here to see to it that the Wye memorandum is implemented accurately and precisely and in accordance with the time frame."

SUPER CAPTION: Saeb Erekat, Palestinian negotiator

Ross said the U-S would keep up the pressure on both sides.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"When it comes to the pursuit of peace, this is a long standing American interest, this is something that reflects the interests of the region and of the world. We have for a long time being trying to deal with an historic conflict here. We have a pathway for resolving that conflict, we have agreements that have been reached, we now have the Wye memorandum which we would like to see implemented and it's important for us to keep our eye on that ball and we will."

SUPER CAPTION: Dennis Ross, U-S Middle East envoy

But not all Palestinians are behind the peace process.

In Ramallah, American and Israeli flags were burned by a left-wing group called the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine which is against any deal with the Israelis.

Arabic/Nat

250 Palestinian policemen displayed their skills at an official graduation ceremony Sunday near the West Bank city of Hebron.

It is these police who will enter Hebron if agreement is reached with the Netanyahu Government over Israeli withdrawal.

Israel has already withdrawn from all the Palestinian cities in the West Bank except Hebron.

The police graduates of all ages proudly marched down the streets of the village of Dahariya - the closest place to Hebron that is controlled by the Palestinians.

The 250 police will be sent into Hebron as soon as an agreement is reached over Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank city.

The new policemen were keen to display their skills at the official graduation ceremony including abseiling down a wall while under fire.

It was also a time for celebration - the men joining in some traditional dancing.

Meanwhile, preparations for an Israeli re-deployment continued on the streets of Hebron Sunday despite no agreement between the Palestinian Authority and the Netanyahu Government.

Israeli troops removed three cement barriers Sunday from Hebron's Street of Martyrs - which has been closed to Palestinian traffic since the 1994 massacre of 29 Palestinians by a Jewish settler.

Palestinian shopkeepers with stores on the street were allowed to drive up it one at a time.

The street - a major artery in the heart of the city - passes by the Jewish settler enclaves. It was scheduled to be reopened under the existing interim agreement, but Netanyahu's government has

pushed for keeping it closed.

Israel has already withdrawn from all the Palestinian cities in the West Bank except Hebron.

Netanyahu has insisted on improving security arrangement for the 500 Jewish settlers who live amid 130,000 Palestinians in Hebron before going ahead with the withdrawal.

A statement from Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's office Sunday confirmed there was still no agreement on Hebron - despite rumours of the contrary.

Negotiators remain stuck on some key issues - the Palestinian leadership insists that there be no changes in the agreement - Israel disagrees.

Dahariya, near Hebron, and Hebron, West Bank, 8 December 1996

1. Wide shot of police graduates walking down street

2. Mid shot of same

3. Pan of salute

4. Mid shot of policemen walking around in circle clapping

5. Mid shot of policemen dancing

6. Wide shot of police dancing

7. Wide shot of man abseiling down wall

8. Pull out of man abseiling down wall

9. Wide shot of police sitting in row

10. Close-up of two graduates with arms

Hebron:

11. Wide shot of Hebron street

12. Close-up of guard on street

13. Wide shot of bulldozer on street moving concrete slab

14. Mid shot of bulldozer

15. Mid shot of same

16. Wide shot of busy street with police

17. Mid shot of children and police on street

18. Wide shot of street with security forces

English/Nat

Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat announced Thursday that he will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank town of Hebron.

It could mean an end to the stalemate over the issue between the two leaders.

The announcement came as celebrations began in Israel as residents prepared to usher in the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lit the first candle of eight to mark the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

The candles commemorate a Jewish victory over the Syrians 2,160 years ago, and Jews traditionally light one candle for each day of the eight day festival.

Hanukkah is a family holiday in Israel, schools close for the week, families take vacations, and cities hold big parties.

Netanyahu, lit the candles at his office in Jerusalem hours after his return from a three-day trip in Europe.

On the political front - Israel's announced that more than 300 new homes will be built in the Jewish settlement of Kedumin in the West Bank angered Arafat.

The plans were made public as Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat agreed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for a summit on Israel's long-delayed withdrawal from the West Bank town of

Hebron.

Arafat - in the Gaza strip - immediately condemned them, saying they violate Israel's peace agreement with the Palestinians.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Q: What's your reaction about the decision of Netanyahu to expand settlements in the West bank?

A: It is another breaching to what has been agreed upon. According the agreement no one single house to be added to any settlement , and the fence not more than 50 metres from the last house."

SUPERCAPTION: Yasser Arafat, Palestinian leader

He said that negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians are still under way and not finished, but he was ready to meet the Israeli Prime minister.

SOUNDBITE:

"Till now the negotiations have not been finished, but I am ready to meet him if he wants to."

SUPERCAPTION: PLO Chief Yasser Arafat

The Israeli withdrawal from Hebron was originally set for last March.

It has been delayed due to disagreements over arrangements to protect about 500 Jewish settlers living there, surrounded by 30-thousand Palestinians.

West Bank and Gaza and Jerusalem - December 5 1996 and file

Jerusalem: Dec 5 1996

1. LS Prime Minister office with Sara Netanyahu

2. Various of Netanyahu lighting candle

3. Various of Israeli cabinet members

Gaza Strip: Dec 5 1996

4. Arafat headquarters

5. Arafat convoy arriving

6. Arafat getting out of car

7. SOUNDBITE: Arafat

8. Cutaway Arafat

9. SOUNDBITE: Arafat

10. Arafat security

Hebron:

11. Various of city (File)

Arabic/Eng/Nat

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has welcomed the agreement reached between his Palestinian Authority and Israel on an Israeli troop pullback from 5 percent of the West Bank.

The announcement ends seven weeks of deadlock.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the two sides would sign the maps outlining the withdrawal later on Tuesday.

The retreat is to be carried out by Thursday, the eve of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian President, expressed his pleasure on Tuesday with the day's progress in the Palestinian Authority's negotiations with Israel over troop withdrawal.

Arafat spoke to awaiting media after a meeting with Egypt's senior Muslim cleric, Mohammed Tantawi, Arafat said that the latest success was a move in the right direction.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)

\"It is a step towards the implementation of the Sharm El Sheik agreement.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Yasser Arafat, President, Palestinian Authority

The withdrawal is the second of three stipulated in the latest Israeli-Palestinian interim accords signed in September.

Israel had agreed to a five percent withdrawal by November 15 last year, although both sides had refused to concede whether it was up to Israel to decide what areas to hand over, or whether the Palestinians should have a say.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat was also present at the reception for Tantawi but had spent the earlier part of the day with his Israeli counterpart, Oded Eran.

The pair met for two hours but would not say how the dispute was resolved.

They have agreed that the West Bank retreat will begin within the next 48 hours.

Negotiators also reaffirmed that an additional withdrawal, from 6-point-1 percent of the West Bank, would take place before the end of January.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"In this meeting we have reached an understanding which will enable us to implement the redeployment - tonight we can sign the map for the five per cent and the six point one percent will proceed on schedule on January 20\"

SUPER CAPTION : Saeb Erekat, Palestinian Negotiator

Under peace deals signed since 1993, Palestinians already have self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

Tuesday's breakthrough coincides with an end to a stalemate between Israel and Syria - their peace talks are on-going in the United States.

With the interim agreement back on track, the prospect of a genuine peace is expected to improve.

Israel and the Palestinians have imposed their own deadline - February 13 - to mould the framework for a final treaty.

XFA Jerusalem - January 4, 2000

1. Arafat at meeting with Mohammed Tantawi

2. Various of meeting

3. Saeb Erekat in audience during meeting

4. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Yasser Arafat, Palestinian President

5. Oded Eran, Israeli negotiator arriving

6. Saeb Erekat, Palestinian negotiator arriving

7. Various photo call with teams from both sides

8. Saeb Erekat and Oded Eran emerging from talks

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Saeb Erekat, Chief Palestinian Negotiator

10. Cutaway Erekat and radio journalist

Voice and effects

VOICED BY: Richard Vaughan

Palestinians celebrated Independence Day on Sunday, with flags and determination that Jerusalem will be the capital of a future state by the time the holiday comes next year.

On Monday, Israel is set to hand over two per cent of the West Bank to full Palestinian control.

By January, the Palestinians will have full or partial control of 39 percent of the West Bank.

00:03

It's been eleven years since Palestinians declared independence from Israel and for one of the first times, they have something to celebrate.

00:11

Monday marks a significant milestone in the road to Middle East peace and possible Palestinian statehood.

And on Sunday, tens of thousands took to the streets of Nablus to celebrate.

00:22

They witnessed a show of strength -- with Palestinian police parading in full military gear.

Israel has pledged to hand over two per cent of the West Bank, as agreed in the Sharm el Sheikh peace accord in September.

00:35

There's true optimism that lasting peace may now be found.

00:39

These children and their families live in the shadow of an Israeli army command post which overlooks the village of Bir Zeit.

The village has been the site of fierce fighting in the past and was a stronghold in the intafada (Palestinian uprising) years.

00:54

This resident says she hopes those times are past.

01:00

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I want to live the peace. I want to really feel that I am living in peace. I don't want to come back here and the students have come back and there's been another shooting and something like that."

SUPER CAPTION: Sawsan Saij, Resident

01:14

Bir Zeit is largely an Arab Christian village and its residents started Sunday with prayers for a peaceful transition on Monday.

01:21

But the handover may be delayed.

So far, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have failed to agree on which areas will be included in the handover.

The Palestinians are annoyed that the areas chosen by the Israelis are not heavily populated.

Their leader Yasser Arafat has yet to approve the withdrawal maps.

Israeli officials, meanwhile, insist the transfer does not require Palestinian agreement.

VISION ENDS: 01:45

XFA Nablus and Bir Zeit, West Bank - 14 November 1999

Nablus

00:00 - Wide of Nablus rally

00:05 - Wide people celebrating

00:13 - Soldiers on jeep going through crowd

00:22 - Close shot soldier on jeep

00:30 - Cutaway to soldier saluting

00:33 - Palestinians with flags

Bir Zeit

00:39 - Children in front of army post

00:47 - Close shot soldiers manning post

00:51 - Set-up shot Sawsa Saij, Resident

00:57 - Child holding his hand up

01:00 - SOUNDBITE: (English) Sawsa Saij, Resident

01:14 - Barbed wire and army post

01:19 - Exterior of church

01:23 - Wide shot interior, congregation

01:27 - Close shot woman praying

01:31 - Man praying

01:38 - Pullback from flag to cross on steeple

VISION ENDS: 01:45

English/Nat

In the West Bank city of Bethlehem, where Christians believe Jesus was born - annual Christmas celebrations are well underway.

But this year the celebrations are taking on a different tone, as the Christian population of the town is slowly dwindling.

Once an unchallenged Christian stronghold, Bethlehem now has a Muslim majority.

Christmas celebrations are underway in Bethlehem, a city considered to be at the very foundation of the Christian faith.

For it was here, nearly 2-thousand years ago, that Jesus Christ was believed to be born.

In recent years, however, the city has begun to lose its strong Christian influences with Islam now the predominant religion.

When Christina Nasser was a child in the 1950's, homes in the Manger Square neighbourhood were bedecked with colourful lights at Christmas time and carol singers went from door to door.

Today, most of her neighbours are Muslims, and when lights are strung up in her street, it's usually for the fasting month of Ramadan.

Part of a dwindling minority, Palestinian Christians such as Christina often feel like strangers in the place they consider Christ's birthplace.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"I feel it is a shame for students, young people who go abroad and study abroad and they never come back or they just come back for holidays and then they bring foreign wives or husbands, that sort of depletes the human resources in this town, in the whole area. I resent that, I feel badly about that, although sometimes I feel I wish I could leave myself. Sometimes it happens.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Christina Nasser, Palestinian Christian

Over the years, and especially since Israel captured the West Bank in 1967, thousands of Christians have emigrated, mainly to North and South America in search of better economic opportunities.

Christians now make up 35 per cent of Bethlehem's 50-thousand population. Fifty years ago, they represented 80 per cent.

In all, Christians represent less than two per cent of the 2.5-million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Christians say the Palestinian Authority, which has run the town since December 1995, has treated them with respect.

The mayor and deputy mayor are Christian - as well as six of the 12 members of the city council appointed by Yasser Arafat.

Two years ago this New Year's Eve, Israel handed over power to the Palestinians. Since then thousands of people from surrounding villages have moved into Bethlehem in search of work.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"Now there are more than 30-thousand refugees. They started since then integrating in the city of Bethlehem where the demography started to change and now the city of Bethlehem is no more with the majority of Christians.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Hanna Nasser, Mayor of Bethlehem

During prayer time, Muslims often spill out from the crowded mosques into Manger Square - which is considered symbolic to Christians.

Tourists visiting the church of Nativity, where Christians believe Jesus was born, say they have seen changes in recent years.

American Christians are worried about the Christians' plight under the controlling Palestinian Liberation Organisation, who are predominantly Muslim.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"There is a lot of concern among American Christians about the status of Christians in Bethlehem, the relationship between Muslims and Christians and what part will be enhanced by the P-L-O, being in charge now. Will they give them more freedom or would they have been better off? And the truth is we don't have any answers, just questions.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Bonny Miller, American Tourist

But others say Bethlehem is an example of how different religions can live together in peace.

And with only two years before the Millennium celebration, Christians can only hope that their numbers don't further diminish.

Bethlehem, West Bank - December 15-20, 1997

1. General view of Bethlehem at dusk

2. Church spire

3. Santa Claus in street

4. Santa Clauses ringing bells at cars

5. General view of Bethlehem Manger Square - Mosque background

6. Establisher of Christina Nasser, Palestinian Christian

7. Christina Nasser wrapping present

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christina Nasser, Palestinian Christian

9. Church of the Nativity

10. Interior of Church of Nativity

11. Christians lighting candles

12. Close-up of women lighting candle

13. Man decorating Christmas tree

14. Close-up of man decorating Christmas tree

15. Man decorating tree

16. Establisher of Mayor of Bethlehem

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hanna Nasser, Mayor of Bethlehem

18. Star of Bethlehem and Mosque

19. Palestinians Muslims praying at Manger Square

20. Palestinian praying

21. Palestinian flags with church in the background

22. Tourists Interior of Church of Nativity

23. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bonny Miller, American tourist

24. Muslim and Christian kids at Christmas party

25. Man dancing

26. Palestinian women dancing

27. Little girl with bell dancing

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

Arabic/Nat

Almost ten-thousand well wishers crowded to a wedding gala for 15 grooms Thursday evening in the West Bank city of Nablus.

The wedding couples had already exchanged their vows separately and the brides were not part of the reception.

Appearing to be the latest tactic in the battle between Yasser Arafat's government and Islamic fundamentalist groups, the wedding reception was sponsored and subsidised by the religious Hamas movement.

As the sun went down Thursday evening, the West Bank city of Nablus prepared for a huge wedding reception.

As night fell, almost ten-thousand well wishers turned out to celebrate the weddings of 15 couples.

They crowded onto red plastic chairs in an open-air area that serves as a bus depot during the day.

Sponsored by the religious Hamas movement, the collective wedding was a strictly Islamic event.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)

"It is an Islamic wedding it contains a few grooms who want to be married in the Islamic way, the way that god wanted and they wanted their happiness in a polite way."

SUPER CAPTION: Mutasem Mansur, Groom

The 15 beaming grooms arrived on horseback to the sound of Islamic incantations.

Dressed in black suits and wearing ribbons of green - the colour of Islam - on their arms, they sat beneath a banner decorated with a Koran and two hearts that announced "The First Collective Islamic Wedding."

"Islam is the answer," the crowd chanted, while clergymen, standing amid fluttering green flags, took the microphone to offer free advice on how to make the new marriages succeed.

Missing from the gala event, however, were the brides.

The couples had exchanged their vows separately earlier, and in line with the religious custom of sexual segregation, the brides were not part of the reception.

In line with Islamic tradition, the only drinks offered were nonalcoholic - coffee and orange juice.

This group wedding reception appears to be the latest device in the battle between Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's secular government and Islamic fundamentalist groups for the hearts and minds of young Palestinians.

Hamas, formally known as the Islamic Resistance Movement, is a political movement whose goal is Islamic theocracy in Palestine.

It has a military arm which has staged terrorist attacks against Israel, but also provides Palestinians with a variety of social services.

The movement enjoys about ten percent overall support, but more among younger people - the beneficiaries of such benefits as the new, cheaper weddings.

A key enticement to this type of wedding is financial.

The Palestinian areas are impoverished - salaries rarely exceed a few hundred dollars a month - but weddings have become increasingly costly.

Renting a hall, hiring a band to play Arabic and Western music and providing dinner can top ten-thousand U-S dollars.

A group wedding saves money by dividing up the costs.

Hamas, which arranged the event, also partly subsidised it, while the public donated chairs and electronic equipment.

As a result, each of the grooms paid only about 110 U-S dollars.

Hamas is also looking into establishing a matchmaking office in Nablus.

Applicants will be asked to provide personal information like age, salary, education - and a picture.

Men will be asked to rate female qualities like beauty and piety in order of importance.

Women will be asked whether they would accept an already married man, and if so, whether they would require a separate apartment.

Nablus, West Bank 10 July 1997

1. Sunset at the Nablus mosque

2. Wide shot of crowd at wedding

3. Grooms hugging each other at mosque

4. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Mutasem Mansur, Groom

5. Band playing drums

6. Close up drum

7. Wide shot crowd carrying banners

8. Groom on horseback

9. Wide shot grooms on horses

10. Wide shot band playing

11. Crowd throwing rice on grooms

12. Crowd applauding

13. Hamas leaders and grooms on stage

14. Palestinian policeman zoom out to crowd

15. Hamas leader holding Koran book, zoom in to book

16. Man clapping hands

17. Women in crowd pull out to crowd

18. Dancers on stage

19. Singers on stage

20. Crowd clapping hands

21. Women clapping hands

Arabic/Eng/Nat

The Palestinian inhabitants of Hebron are trying to consolidate their hold on the West Bank city by renovating hundreds of crumbling houses.

Their aim is to make it more difficult for Jewish settlers to find accommodation in Hebron -- a city which 100-thousand Palestinians and 450 settlers both claim as their own.

The renovation campaign comes as Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are hammering out an agreement on the redeployment of Israeli troops from the West Bank city.

It's these abandoned homes that Hebron's Palestinian inhabitants fear could be taken over by Jewish settlers.

A renovation campaign was launched a few months ago with the backing of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat precisely in order to hamper Jewish attempts to consolidate their small settlements in Hebron.

So far dozens of homes have been renovated in the heart of the city just a stone's throw from Jewish neighborhoods.

Wisam Muhtaseb owns a derelict house on the edge of the Jewish enclave of Avraham Avinu.

Like many other property owners in Hebron, he fears the building will be snatched by settlers if he doesn't have it rebuilt.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)

"When these homes are kept empty and abandoned without any renovations, then it will be easy for the settlers to come here and move in them."

SUPER CAPTION: Wisam Muhtaseb, resident of Hebron

The rebuilding work is being overseen by the newly-created Hebron Committee for Renovation.

Once a building is accepted for reconstruction by the committee, all the building expenses are paid for with donations from charitable organisations.

Khaled Qawasmeh, head of the Hebron Renovation Committee says dozens of applications are submitted daily, and priority is given to buildings near Jewish homes.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)

"There is no doubt that the settlers want these homes, but we want to make sure and prove that the old city is Palestinian and not Jewish"

SUPER CAPTION: Engineer Khaled Qawasmeh, head of the Hebron Renovation Committee

Jewish settlers living in Hebron complain that the Palestinians are given a free hand to renovate homes while they are banned from doing the same with their property.

They see the renovation campaign as a sinister Palestinian plot.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"This is an initiation of the P-L-O to renovate and bring in thousands of people around and to surround the Jewish quarter in order to create conditions that somewhere in the future some terrorists may use their civilian population in order to cause terror actions"

SUPER CAPTION: Noam Arnon, spokesman for Jewish settlers in Hebron

While negotiators continue to thrash out a deal on troop withdrawal, Jews and Palestinians are both trying to strengthen their position on the ground.

The Jews are well organised and heavily armed.

But by sheer weight of numbers the Palestinians have the advantage -- and the renovation programme is an effective way of exploiting this strength.

Hebron, West Bank - November 24 1996

1. LS of old city of Hebron

2. CU of abandoned homes in old city

3 .Palestinians working

4. CU of worker

5. Estab. of Wisam Muhtaseb, owner of house

6. Pan of old house

7. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Wisam Muhtaseb

8. Various of old abandoned house

9. Jewish neighbourhood through window

10. Palestinians fixing wall/ zoom out to army post

11. Palestinian worker building

12. Estab. of Khaled Qawasmeh, head of The Hebron Renovation Committee

13. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Khaled Qawasmeh

14. LS of Jewish neighbourhood in Avraham Avinu

15. SOUNDBITE: Noam Arnon, Settler spokesman

16. Various of home to be turned into a museum

17. Palestinian man working zoom out to roof