Israel to seal off West Bank for Jewish holiday

Israel will seal off the West Bank during the Jewish holiday of Purim this week, an Israeli army spokeswoman said.

Updated on: Mar 9, 2009, 08:40:01 IST

AFP | By HT Correspondent, Jerusalem

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Israel will seal off the West Bank during the Jewish holiday of Purim this week, an Israeli army spokeswoman said on Sunday.

"This measure will take effect on Sunday at midnight local time (2200 GMT) and will hold until Wednesday midnight local time (2200 GMT)," she said.

But roads will be opened for humanitarian needs, doctors and students, she added.

The carnival-like Purim holiday will be celebrated from Monday night with parades and costume parties. It commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to exterminate them in the ancient Persian empire 2,500 years ago.

Israeli police raised its alert level on Sunday fearing attacks during the holiday, with concerns that Palestinian militants might put on disguises to go undetected, according to military radio.

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