No chance of peace deal, says Sharon's deputy

Israel’s vice premier today ruled out any chance of reaching an agreement with the Palestinians, saying Israel would have to unilaterally define its borders, dismantle some settlements and withdraw from most of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and parts of east Jerusalem.

Ehud Olmert’s comments, published in the Yediot Ahronot newspaper, were a significant change of tack from a top leader of the hard-line Likud Party, which has resisted giving up most of the West Bank or any part of Jerusalem.