The comments drew an angry condemnation from the Palestinians and created a new test for the Trump administration.

Opponents of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan for a pullout from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank made last-ditch efforts today to rally support for a vote that could halt the withdrawal.

The Israeli government is planning to build more than 6,000 new homes in the West Bank this year and to legitimise 120 illegal outposts, a newspaper reported today.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was heading to Washington today to seek US backing for a plan to give up the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank in exchange for keeping and expanding five large West Bank settlement blocs.