Israel has a claim to West Bank, says Bush

PRESIDENT BUSH said yesterday Israel has a claim on some West Bank land that Palestinians say is theirs, in a shift in policy that could have major implications for Middle East peace negotiations.

Mr Bush said the "realities on the ground and in the region have changed greatly" and should be reflected in any final peace deal another concession, also sought by Sharon, to the fact that Israel has large groups of settlers in the West Bank.

At a joint White House news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Bush said of Sharon's planned Gaza pull-out: "These are historic and courageous actions" and urged all parties to choose this moment to help "put an end to one of the world's longest running conflicts".