21.   The Erez talks came together after Israel eased its blockade Thursday on the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

22.   The mayor of Bethlehem asked Israel on Tuesday to ease its blockade of the West Bank, saying the restrictions hurt tourism and hampered freedom of worship.

23.   The Palestinians demand that Israel significantly ease the blockade.

24.   The talks came together after Israel eased its blockade yesterday on the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

25.   The statement said the military would immediately ease blockades around Palestinian towns and allow shipment of goods.

26.   With food scarce, anti-government strikers announced Tuesday they would ease the blockade that has shut the country for four days.

27.   He added that the United States and the Europeans wanted Israel to respond to Arafat moves by easing the blockade it has imposed on the Palestinian territories.

28.   Israel has repeatedly announced measures to ease the blockade, notably by permitting imports of food, medicine and building materials and limited exports of textiles and flowers.

29.   Israel on Sunday extended indefinitely its month-old closure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip despite an army appeal to ease the blockade, officials said.

30.   But the Jewish state was under mounting pressure from the Palestinian Authority, backed by Egypt and Jordan, to ease the blockade.