JERUSALEM. Sept 10: Jewish settlers, horrified at Israel's recognition of the PLO, have vowed to fight Palestinian self-rule in the occupied territories, says Reuter.

Hundreds of settler demonstrators and their supporters from throughout Israel set up a din of metal pounding on metal, whistles and shouts the moment Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's cabinet announced the historic recognition on Thursday.

The steady drumming of noise from their position opposite Rabin's office could be heard a half km (mjle) away at Israel's parliament. It continued unabated for more than four hours.

They'd like to beat Rabin but its impossible to beat Rabin so we're letting off steam

this way ... they're giving away our home said Moshe. 18. from a settlement near the Palestinian City of Nablus in the occupied West Bank.

The great battle for the land of Israel and settlement has entered a new reality, ft will be much harder arid intense, said settler leader Rabbi Yoel Ben Nun over the din.

Police Minister Moshe Shahal, speaking to reporters after the cabinet decision, said the way was now open for Arab and Jew to live In harmony in a new era.

The 100,000 settlers fear that new era could end their more than 20-year-long attempt to force annexation of the occupied territories. They say the occupied lands, captured in 1967, belong to the Jewish people by biblical birthright.

Meanwhtle. a leading PLO opponent of the deal with Israel said Palestinians were in shock today at the speed of the accord and predicted it faced a tough test In the years ahead.

'PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat pulled it off. The American bulldozer (pushing for a signed pact,) is going so fast, Shafiq Al- Hoot, who withdrew from the PLO's Executive Committee last month, told Reuters.

"In my opinion the price (won from Israel) was not enough. It is not convincing, added Hoot, 61, the PLO's representative to Lebanon since 1965.

"What did we get from so much war? this was passed despite the opposition of one third of the (PLO) Executive Committee but who cares in the

erjd . . . we are still tn shock, assessing the agreement.'

'Those who are for the agreement are pointing out positive things, telling people it is only the first step and (Palestinian) sovereignty will happen tn the end.' said Hoot, who still has deeds to his home In Jaffa, now Tel Aviv, which he left In 1948.

'Others see the empty half and are very pessimistic, expecting a hell of a lot of trouble in the occupied territories and the diaspora. The coming years will test the credibility of the agreement.

The future of the refugees, sovereignty and the right of self-determination will only be discussed three years after the declaration", he added.