“Israel’s peace movement, largely dormant since Ariel Sharon was first elected prime minister three years ago, resurfaced last weekend amid calls for a political framework for peace and withdrawal from a contentious settlement in Gaza.

“An estimated 4,000 Israelis took to the street Saturday night to protest Sharon’s policies in a demonstration outside his Jerusalem residence.

“Naomi Chazan, a former Knesset member from the left-wing Meretz Party and one of the participants, said this was the first major demonstration against Sharon.”