KFAR MAIMON (Israel), July 19: Israeli right-wingers clashed on Tuesday with police who blocked thousands of protesters from marching on Gaza settlements and trying to disrupt Israel’s pullout from the occupied strip.

Demonstrators ignored orders to disperse as security forces penned them inside the southern Israeli farming village of Kfar Maimon to prevent them from advancing any further toward the Gush Katif settlement bloc, about 15 km to the west.

It was the biggest showdown so far with protesters opposed to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s pullout plan and could be a preview of confrontations expected when Israel begins evacuating 21 settlements in Gaza and a pocket of the West Bank next month.

Sixteen people were arrested and several injured when demonstrators shouting “Police state!” and vowing to defy a ban on their march tried to push through a police cordon.

Police and angry youths traded punches. Officers on horseback moved into the crowd. Water cannon were brought in but not used.

“This protest is illegal. The event is over. We are offering bus rides back to your homes,” police shouted through loudspeakers at the protesters.

However, there was no immediate sign that anyone was taking heed and some settlers responded defiantly dancing and singing.—Reuters