Israel military close WBank and Gaza Strip ahead of Purim
(2 Mar 2007) Kalandiya, West Bank 1. Wide of check point 2. Wide bedouin in front of Security 3. Mid of car at check point 4. Wide of vans heading towards checkpoint 5. Mid of men walking through iron gates 6. Close up of iron gates 7. Wide of check point 8. Wide of flags at checkpoint 9. Mid of checkpoint sign Checkpoint "300", Bethlehem area, West Bank 10. Car driving towards checkpoint 11. Wide of checkpoint Jerusalem 12. Israeli security on the streets and at the markets ++SOUND QUALITY AS INCOMING++ Tzur Hadassah, near Jerusalem 13. Pan right at children standing with Israeli soldiers 14. Soldiers holding poster reading in Hebrew: "To soldiers with love, A Happy Purim Holiday" 15. Boy standing next to soldier 16. Children wearing costumes 17. Various of children with soldiers 18. Close up of little girl, tilt-up to older man 19. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lanny Baskin, local resident: "From my daughter's class, they got together to bring presents and sweets for the soldiers to have a happy holiday. It's purim and we want them to have a good time and to know that everybody cares about them." 20. Man with little girls leaving STORYLINE The Israeli military continued to impose a general closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Friday, in advance of celebrations to mark the start of the Jewish holiday of Purim. Under the closure, which started at midnight on Thursday (2200 GMT), Palestinians are banned from entering Israel, except for a few humanitarian cases. Israeli security forces only allowed cars carrying yellow license plates through check the various checkpoints. Israeli children dressed up in costumes marking the Jewish holiday of Purim toured the checkpoints on Friday morning, wishing soldiers a happy holiday. "From my daughter's class, they got together to bring presents and sweets for the soldiers to have a happy holiday. It's Purim and we want them to have a good time and to know that everybody cares about them," a local resident told AP Television. The holiday usually last for two days and is celebrated by dressing up, and festive meals. Alcohol consumption is also encouraged during the holiday, and religious Jews also distribute food and sweet parcels and give presents to the needy. Purim, celebrates the deliverance of the Jews of the Persian Empire from extermination as recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
