Trance Party Banned in Jericho By DANA BUDEIRI .c The Associated Press JERUSALEM (AP) -- The Palestinian Authority has legalized casino gambling, but it refused Monday to host a trance party for young Israelis in the Palestinian resort of Jericho. Trance, which is popular in Israel, involves dancers whirling to thumping music, often in nature reserves. The trancers say they express their yearning for peace, but police say drug use is rampant and routinely break up the parties. Israeli newspapers said Monday that organizers of a trance party had won permission to hold a three-day celebration in the Jordan Valley oasis of Jericho at the start of April. Jericho is one of seven autonomous Palestinian cities in the West Bank and is off-limits to Israeli law enforcement. However, Jericho municipal spokesman Saed Sweiti said the quiet agricultural town wanted no part of the festivities. The trance party organizer, Eyal Barkan, insisted he had all the necessary permits to hold the event in Jericho under the title, ``Give Peace a Chance.'' Barkan saw no problem with the party being held in the conservative Palestinian areas. ``Arafat will dance there!'' he said jokingly, referring to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Israel's Peres Center for Peace withdrew its backing for the event on Monday, saying it had been presented by the organizers as a folklore festival, not a trance party. Trance parties were first held in Israel about 10 years ago, when large groups of Israeli army veterans began traveling to beach resorts in India. After returning to Israel, many tried to recreate the experience by organizing all- night outdoor dance parties. Jericho, meanwhile, has become a magnet for Israeli gamblers who flock to the Oasis Casino on the outskirts of the town. Gambling is illegal in Israel.
