The deal, signed by the Israeli Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, unleashed a wave of anger among many Jewish settlers and their right-wing allies in parliament, who have vowed to bring down the Israeli Government.

Police said demonstrators in the West Bank blocked traffic with their vehicles or by heaping stones on the road and then holding prayer sessions.

The settlers said they had blocked 31 junctions, and 17 people had been arrested.

Police are deploying reinforcements in case the demonstrations become violent.

Political challenge

When Mr Netanyahu returns on Monday, he faces a no-confidence vote from hardliners in his coalition government, who say the deal amounts to treason and surrender.

Jeremy Bowen reports on the bitter infighting surrounding the deal

Under the interim peace deal the Israelis have agreed to withdraw from a further 13% of the West Bank and begin releasing Palestinian prisoners.

In return the Palestinians are to take action against militants, and to cancel the PLO charter's call for the destruction of Israel.

Clinton appeals for solidarity

President Clinton has urged Israelis to support Mr Netanyahu, whose fragile coalition government has only a one seat majority in parliament.

Speaking during a visit to Los Angeles, Mr Clinton said Mr Netanyahu had taken significant risks given the nature of his political support.

"We're not out of the woods yet. The agreement still has to be implemented and I hope that in Israel the people and the members of his political coalition will support Prime Minister Netanyahu," said Mr Clinton.

Palestinian state 'coming soon'

Jihad activists say Palestine has been compromised

The Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, has been optimistic about the deal, saying his people will soon achieve statehood.

At a briefing of European Union leaders in Austria, Mr Arafat said an independent Palestinian state "is coming very soon".

He also said he now considered the Israeli Prime Minister, Binjamin Netanyahu, his new partner in the peace process.

Mr Arafat: Hopes partnership will continue

The Palestinians are also pleased that President Clinton is going to visit Mr Arafat in Gaza.

One of Mr Arafat's top advisors, Ahmed Tibi, said the impending visit showed that Palestinian relations with Washington were at their best ever.

However, the accord has been condemned by Palestinian opposition groups based in Syria, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The Palestinian Forces Alliance, a linkup of eight radical groups, denounced the deal, saying it was "aimed at turning the battle into a Palestinian-Palestinian conflict instead of a confrontation against Israel.