Sharon vows to keep Gaza settlements

A general view of Maaleh Adumim settlement on the edges of Jerusalem yesterday. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who left for the US to discuss his disengagement plan with US President George W. Bush, said that Maaleh Adumim was one of six areas in the West Bank that would remain under Israeli control. PHOTO: AFP

"I have a good feeling," Sharon said on departure, alluding to his "disengagement" move that Palestinians fear will strip them of land for a viable state as outlined in a US-backed "road map" peace plan now derailed by violence and mutual non-compliance.

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Infuriated Palestinians, who want to end Israel's 1967 occupation of both the West Bank and Gaza, said Sharon's remarks effectively ruled out any treaty under the road map, to which President Bush reaffirmed his commitment.

Sharon, speaking on Monday at the biggest West Bank settlement, Maale Adumim, which alone has almost four times as many Jews as in Gaza, named settlements to "remain under Israeli control, that will continue to grow stronger and develop."