Mass protest at settlement moves

For the protesters, one caravan dismantled is one too many

Tens of thousands of Israelis have demonstrated against plans which could lead to the dismantling of some Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

The plan to evacuate a few small outposts has been proposed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who has traditionally championed settlements.

Several cabinet members joined the estimated 100,000 protesters.

Mr Sharon insists some settlements must be dismantled if peace talks with the Palestinians are to progress.

If Jewish communities can be relocated, then Arab communities can be relocated as well. Uzi Landau Cabinet minister

The BBC's Chris Morris in Jerusalem says the plan has left Israel deeply divided.

So far Mr Sharon is only proposing to dismantle a few small outposts on occupied land - but for the settlers and their supporters one caravan removed is one too many, our correspondent adds.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Tel Aviv, holding aloft banners and shouting slogans.

One banner read: "Uprooting settlements tears the nation apart." Another said: "God's roadmap - the Bible, gave us this land."

The crowd listened to speeches from right-wing political leaders, including Mr Sharon's own ministers.

"If Jewish communities can be relocated, then Arab communities can be relocated as well," said one of them, Uzi Landau.