ALLENBY BRIDGE AND WRECKED BRIDGE; PEOPLE CROSSING BRIDGE; TRUCKS CROSSING; POLICE CHECKING PASSPORTS; MORE SCENES AT BRIDGE.




Initials JP/VS/CCT/EEH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE ALLENBY BRIDGE SPANNING THE RIVER JORDAN BETWEEN ISRAELI OCCUPIED TERRITORY AND JORDAN HAS BECOME A MAJOR BORDER STATION. AN ISRAELI MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR TODAY (TUESDAY) DESCRIBED THE BRIDGE AS THE BUSIEST BORDER POST IN ISRAELI HELD LANDS AND SAID THAT MORE THAN 200-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAD CROSSED IT IN THE PAST YEAR. TRAFFIC IS AT ITS HEAVIEST NOW AS MANY HOLIDAY-MAKERS CROSS THE BRIDGE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS TO VISIT THEIR RELATIVES.

THE PRESSURE OF VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS ON THE BRIDGE ARE TREMENDOUS AS THE ONLY OTHER SPAN ACROSS THE JORDAN, THE DAMIA BRIDGE, WAS DESTROYED DURING ISRAELI ACTION AGAINST THE EL FATAH ORGANISATION. TRUCKS IN EITHER DIRECTION WAIT UP TO THREE DAYS IN ORDER TO CROSS THE BRIDGE.

MANY STUDENTS ARE AMONG THOSE CROSSING AND THE ISRAELI AUTHORITIES CLAIM THAT AFTER A CHECK, EACH STUDENT-APPLICATION IS APPROVED. APPLICATIONS FROM OTHER HOLIDAY-MAKERS ARE APPROVED IN BATCHES OF 3-THOUSAND AT A TIME. AFTER CROSSING THE BRIDGE, THE TOURISTS ARE PROCESSED FOR VISAS AND HEALTH CARDS AT THE CUSTOMS-IMMIGRATION CHECKPOST. TOURISTS WHO DON'T HAVE HEALTH CARDS ARE VACCINATED ON THE SPOT.