(7 May 2003)
Jerusalem:
1. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon arriving at Israeli president Moshe Katsav's residence for Independence Day celebrations
2. Katsav inspecting troops
3. Sharon and Katsav on stage
4. Tilt up from Sharon's feet to head
5. Pan from military to stage with Sharon and Katsav standing for ceremony to give medals to War of Independence veterans
6. Mid of Sharon applauding
7. Katsav giving veteran medal
8. Soldier watching
9. Sharon seated, pull to wide of him with Katsav and veterans
10. Various of police cars
11. Policeman walking in park
12. Families walking in park
13. Various of Israeli families eating at picnic
Kalandiya checkpoint, outskirts of Ramallah, West Bank
14. Policewoman at checkpoint standing by several police cars flying Israeli flags
15. Long shot of checkpoint
16. Soldier checking identity papers of truck driver
17. Woman carrying baby, talking to soldiers at checkpoint
18. Soldiers searching car
19. Wide shot of people walking through checkpoint
STORYLINE:
Independence Day celebrations were held amid high security in Israel, as police said they had warnings of dozens of planned Palestinian attacks.
As a precaution, Israel closed its borders, banning all Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip from entering the country on the 55th anniversary of its creation.
While Israelis celebrate, Palestinians see the founding of the state of Israel as the beginning of what they call al-Naqba - the catastrophe - the uprooting of Palestinians during the 1948 war that broke out with Israel's independence on May 15.
Israel president Moshe Katsav held a reception on Wednesday morning in Jerusalem.
He honored veterans who fought in the 1948 war, including the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, who received a medal from Katsav.
For many Israelis, Independence Day means heading to the beach or the nearest strip of grass for a barbecue.
While some go to forests or picnic sites, many can be seen grilling on roadside strips, in city centre parks and even traffic islands.
Food industry groups forecast that Israelis would consume 800 metric tons (880 US tons) of meat and 850 metric tons (940 US tons) of humus during the course of the day.
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