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December 9, 2009 (BBC NEWS) - Thousands of Jewish settlers and their supporters are staging a rally in Jerusalem in protest at a curb on settlement building in the West Bank.
Demonstrators gathered outside the residence of PM Benjamin Netanyahu, days after he ordered a 10-month lull in permits for new settlement homes.
The order followed US calls for a total freeze in settlement building.
Israel said the move was aimed at helping restart peace talks, but Palestinians said it was insufficient.
Jewish settlers have been angered by the moratorium, ordered by Mr Netanyahu's right-leaning government, ordinarily supportive of settlement activity in the West Bank.
Nearly 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built on occupied territory in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Settlement building in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law - although Israel disputes this.
Meanwhile, Israeli anti-settlement movement Peace Now says more homes are under construction per inhabitant in the West Bank than inside Israel despite the recent curbs.
The group said 1,167 homes were being built for every 100,000 West Bank settlers, compared to just 836 for the same number of Israeli residents.
