Militant Jewish settlers, protesting at the new American-brokered peace agreement which Israel has signed with the Palestinians, have been blocking a series of crossroads across the West Bank.

Police deployed large detachments to deal with the protests, and said they'd arrested more than 20 people.

In one case two officers were slightly hurt; all junctions were later reported open again.

Hardliners have accused the prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, of treason; the BBC Jerusalem correspondent says Mr Netanyahu is flying home into a storm of protest from right-wing politicians who are threatening to bring down the government.

President Clinton has said the deal will increase Israeli security, as well as giving land and economic opportunity to the Palestinians.