Israel eases closures

MORE than 6,000 Palestinian labourers crossed into Israel from the Gaza Strip yesterday as Israel slightly eased restrictions that had prevented them from reaching their workplaces for more than a month, Palestinian officials said.

The Palestinian workers crammed through the Erez crossing before dawn, submitting to tight security checks but thankful to return to their jobs. All the permits were given to men 35 and older, because Israel says married men over this age are less likely to carry out attacks.

Also yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon travelled to Moscow, where he is expected to talk with President Vladimir Putin about Israel’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme and a Russian-backed UN resolution on a Mideast peace plan.