DATE=11/5/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (SHORT)

NUMBER=2-309476

BYLINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Israel has lifted military blockades against most West Bank cities in a bid to ease the humanitarian plight of Palestinians. Israeli officials said the decision is also a goodwill gesture toward Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, who is trying to form a new government. Ross Dunn reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Israel announced it had ended internal closures on all Palestinian cities in the West Bank with the exception of Nablus and Jenin.

The Israeli Army said these two cities should continue to be sealed off due to the large number of warnings that Palestinians are planning to use them to launch terror attacks.

Palestinians in all other cities will be allowed to travel outside their areas, providing they have a permit.

Israeli forces encircled Palestinian self-rule areas two-months ago in response to suicide bombings.

Israeli officials said the decision is, in part, aimed at boosting support for Palestinian Prime Minister, Ahmed Qureia, who is attempting to build a new government and has stated his willingness to re-start peace talks.

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom says that more goodwill gestures are needed to restore trust between the two sides and establish the climate for a return to negotiations. (SIGNED)

NEB/RD/AWP/RH/RAE