Several dozen demonstrators protesting Israel's military actions in Gaza arrived at the consulate about 8:30 a.m. in an action that had been organized on activist Web sites.

One group of six protesters went inside the building housing the consulate and blocked the doorway, while several other people chained themselves together outside the doorway.

When police arrived they ordered those inside the building to disperse and arrested four who refused, police Lt. Lynette Hogue said.

At about 10 a.m., police ordered the protesters blocking the outside of the entrance to leave, and brought in equipment to cut through the ties binding the protesters together. The remaining chained protesters were arrested at about 10:30 a.m., and police used saws to cut locks off the building's doors.

Police guarded the cleared doorway as the arrested demonstrators were taken away, amid fellow protesters chanting, "We'll be back."

Chronicle staff writer Matthew B. Stannard contributed to this report. E-mail Jill Tucker at jtucker@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page B - 6 of the San Francisco Chronicle