Sharon vows to keep Jerusalem as united capital of Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday at the conclusion of a meeting with President Moshe Katsav that Jerusalem will remain united as the eternal capital of the Jewish people, Jerusalem Post reported.

Sharon was quoted as saying he was aware that there were rumors circulating that Jerusalem was next in line for withdrawal following disengagement from Gaza.

"There is no foundation for such rumors," Sharon asserted.

Israeli cabinet voted 17-5 Sunday in favor of evacuating settlements in the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank.

The pullout plan, also known as disengagement plan, which was put forward by Sharon at the end of 2003, is aimed at removing all Gaza settlements and four of the 120 in the West Bank.

"There is absolutely no truth to them. Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3,007 years; it is a united capital and it will not be divided," continued the prime minister.

Sharon said he has consistently made this clear to world leaders who visited Israel and reiterated it during his own visits abroad.

Sharon was responding in part to comments made earlier Monday by parliament member Uzi Landau, leader of the so-called Likud rebels against the disengagement plan, who accused Sharon of softening too much in his gestures toward the Palestinian National Authority, including the disengagement plan.

Source: Xinhua