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Return to Nablus

When Alan Johnston first visited Nablus six years ago the city was at the centre of the second Palestinian intifada or uprising. Since then things have calmed down but how enduring is the peace?

Six years ago, the second Palestinian Intifada – or uprising – was raging in the West Bank town of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied territories.

This was an era when Palestinian militants regularly battled the Israeli Defence Force in the streets.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s Alan Johnston reported from Nablus during those dark, dangerous days.

Now, for Assignment, on his first reporting trip back in the Middle East since he was kidnapped in Gaza, he returns to Nablus to find out how life has changed for the town.

He finds a community transformed, Israeli checkpoints have been dismantled, Palestinian troops patrol their own streets, and the economy is on the up.

But in the absence of a more lasting Middle East peace settlement, the mood is far from optimistic, and the outlook is complicated by disturbing allegations of human rights abuses within the occupied territories emanating from the Fatah/Hamas split in Palestinian politics.

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25 minutes

Last on

Sun 13 Dec 2009 11:05GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 10 Dec 2009 10:05GMT
  • Thu 10 Dec 2009 15:05GMT
  • Thu 10 Dec 2009 20:05GMT
  • Fri 11 Dec 2009 01:05GMT
  • Sat 12 Dec 2009 06:05GMT
  • Sat 12 Dec 2009 18:05GMT
  • Sun 13 Dec 2009 11:05GMT

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