Thousands of Israelis headed for central Tel Aviv late Saturday to participate in a massive rally in support of the planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip later this year. The demonstration, which was to include a march through the streets of Israel's largest coastal city, was organised by the so-called Majority Coalition, which is made up of left wing and peace groups who back the evacuation of Gaza.
"It is important to participate in this march to show that all of the (people in the) Israeli streets support the withdrawal from Gaza, and not to abandon the stage to the settlers," one participant told army radio.
Jewish settlers, who are fiercely opposed to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's withdrawal plan, have repeatedly warned that the evacuation would lead to a split in the nation, which could cause civil war.