Dozens of men believed to be plainclothes Palestinian security personnel broke up a gathering of activists opposed to new Mideast peace talks Wednesday, reflecting the controversy over U.S.-sponsored negotiations with Israel next week.

President Mahmoud Abbas has come under widespread criticism at home for agreeing to negotiate without an Israeli pledge to freeze all construction on land claimed by Palestinians.

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, about 200 activists from various opposition groups had gathered in a meeting hall to issue a declaration opposing the peace talks when dozens of young men sitting in the audience stood up, hoisted posters of Abbas and shouted slogans in support of the Palestinian leader.

The meeting quickly broke up in a confused scene of shouting and finger-pointing, without any resolution being approved.