Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Thursday that his country will be forced to make "territorial concessions" to Palestinians in the framework of future peace efforts.
"I spoke in the past about the need for painful concessions," Sharon said during a news conference. "It is clear that in the future we will not be in all the places
we are now."
"I don't want to get into the details" of what concessions Israel will make, he said, adding only that the steps are supposed to "improve life in Israel."
When asked about his stance on the Gaza Strip settlement of Netzarim, Sharon said, "I am not willing to make any commitment to anyone... I will not take any responsbility at this moment regarding any settlement, this one or any other."
Sharon also said once he formulates his position, he will bring it before the public, and that Israel will continue to build the so-called West Bank security fence.
The Israeli leader's comments came just several hours after Deputy Defense Minister Ze'ev Boim said that the government was in the final stages of legalizing some of the unauthorized West Bank outposts established in the past three years. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
