Jenin is in the north of the West Bank adjoining Israel (the Green Line). Israel seeks to control the border to stop suicide bomb attacks from the city.

The population is 250,000, mostly dependant on agriculture, trading and work in Israel.

There is much violence, almost every day, between the Israeli Army and its Special Forces and several Palestinian armed organizations such as the Fatah armed wing which is the biggest power there, Islamic Jihad which is the second power, and Hamas the third.

Many Hamas were arrested recently in Jenin by the Israelis out of fear members were planning revenge attacks in Israel following the assassination of Ahmad Yassin, spiritual leader of Hamas, in Gaza .

Fatah and its gunmen have acted as police in Jenin after Israel destroyed all the Palestinian police offices and the main headquarters, the Governor's office, the preventive security offices and several other offices belonging to the Palestinian security forces .

Since the intifada began, 35 Palestinians have committed suicide bomb attacks in Israel and Israel has assassinated 63 Palestinians in Jenin. The number of Palestinian wounded was 2,116 up to mid-2003 , 1,800 Palestinians were arrested and 536 Palestinian houses were demolished, showing the violence prevailing in the city.

The story in Jenin is still the violence, plus the bad economic situation and the unemployment .

All the roads into Jenin are closed by Israeli Army checkpoints. The only way to get into Jenin is from the check points, with the approval of the soldiers there. The best check point to use is Al Jalameh, near the village of Meqableh at the border with Israel.

Jenin is a traditional and religious society. Muslims are in the majority. Some outlying villages have Christians such as Al Zababdeh village and Barqeen village. There are some churches. Christians enjoy great respect in Jenin.

There is only one small hotel in the town, but you can find many houses for rent. There are some very good restaurants and coffee shops, but no night clubs or bars or alcohol.

Foreigners are highly respected and the foreign media too. Journalists in Jenin say that foreign journalists don't face any problems, either with the ordinary people or the gunmen. The people of Jenin are famous for their hospitality .

Again, as we always say in the West Bank, don't forget to have your flak jacket and your safety stuff with you all the time. Fighting can start at any moment.

Stick close to local journalists who know the people and where and when to start making pictures. They will be pleased to help you.

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