1.   In the ancient world Jewish pilgrims arrived during Passover with dried fruits and fresh green almonds, sheep and lambs slung over their shoulders.

2.   The cave was first venerated by Christians, then also by Jews and Moslems, and is now mostly visited by Jewish pilgrims.

3.   Jewish pilgrims filed through metal detectors to enter the disputed holy site, where the biblical Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are believed to be buried.

4.   The square sanctuary, decorated with a gold frieze, rises high above the covered heads of virtual Jewish pilgrims on the other side.

5.   Earlier a procession of Jewish pilgrims filed through the old city, passing through Arab areas without incident, before arriving at the Tomb of the Patriarchs.

6.   Thousands of Jewish pilgrims on Saturday held prayers in the flashpoint West Bank town of Hebron to mark a religious holiday, protected by heavy Israeli army reinforcements.

7.   Jewish pilgrims who were due to hold a large rally near the Tomb of the Patriarchs were diverted to the nearby settlement of Kiryat Arba.