Tel Aviv, April 7 : A recent dig by Tel Aviv University archaeologists in Israel has uncovered evidence that a mysterious female ruler may have ruled the country in ancient times.

The legend is that the great rulers of Canaan, the ancient land of Israel, were all men.

Tel Aviv  - Israel will seal off the West Bank from midnight Monday (2200 GMT) for the duration of the seven-day Passover festival, which begins Wednesday at sunset, the Israeli military said in a statement.

The closure will remain in effect until Saturday April 18, according to "security assessments," the statement said.

Tel Aviv  - Tens of thousands of Israelis flocked to Tel Aviv's main Rabin Square Saturday night as the city kicked off its centenary celebrations with a gala concert featuring more than 1,000 singers, dancers and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

In preparation for the celebrations, the city on Friday held a series of street concerts, while a special prayer session was held Saturday morning, the Jewish Sabbath.

Tel Aviv  - Israeli police grilled new Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman for seven hours Thursday, as part on a years-long investigation centering around allegations of fraud, money-laundering, bribery and breech of trust, police said.

A further round of questioning is scheduled to take place at a later date. Lieberman took over the foreign minister portfolio Wednesday, and Thursday's interrogation had been scheduled days in advance.

Tel Aviv - Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni called Thursday on Premier Benjamin Netanyahu to distance himself from remarks by his new foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman rejecting the Annapolis peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

"When something so dramatic is said and does not receive a response, it either reflects weakness on the part of Bibi (Netanyahu's nickname) or he actually believes it," she told Israel Army Radio.