In pictures: Key Palestinian's trial

The imprisoned Palestinian Marwan Barghouti - who leads Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement in the West Bank - was back in court on Thursday to face charges of aiding the murder of 26 Israelis.

Relatives of Mr Barghouti's alleged victims made their feelings plain as the hearing began

Some even held up placards outside the courthouse in Tel Aviv, showing photographs of the victims

One woman entered the courthouse to protest her case

The court session ended in chaos as scuffles broke out between Palestinians and families of the victims

Meanwhile Marwan Barghouti himself was in a defiant mood, denying the legitimacy of the court proceedings

Mr Barghouti enjoys widespread support among Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank

Demonstrators took to the street in the West Bank town of Ramallah to demand his freedom

Rallies in his honour even took place as far afield as Cairo, Egypt