PALESTINIAN POLICE SPEAK WITH ISRAELI GUARDS AT JOSEPH TOMB IN NABLUS, 1998-08-20 (photo)

Palestinian police (L) speak with armed Israeli security guards who stand inside the locked Joseph's Tomb compound August 20, as the standoff continues over some 40 Jewish worshippers who have set up camp inside the compound and refuse to leave the Biblical shrine. Palestinian police have barred additional Jewish worshippers from entering the site since last Sunday. Israel's Government Press Office said the Palestinian action violated an agreement to ensure Jews free access to the shrine and said there was nothing in an interim peace accord barring overnight stays. Palestinian security officials claim only a handfull of Jewish worshippers are permitted to stay overnight at the shrine and others must be escorted by a joint Israeli-Palestinian security patrol. EH/JDP