"Today, we are speeding up the construction of the fence and we will not stop," said Sharon (AFP)

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, November 27 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Thursday, November 27, slammed the new Geneva peace initiative as damaging to Israel and vowed to expedite the construction of the widely-criticized separation wall in the West Bank.

"Today, we are speeding up the construction of the fence and we will not stop, it is vital for the security of the state and it is our responsibility," he told Israeli reporters.

Sharon also dismissed the criticism against the controversial barrier and pledged to press on with his tough line, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Less than two days after the U.S. took a rare punitive measure against Sharon’s settlement policy and the wall construction, many analysts see the statements as a challenge to the international community.

The wall snakes into the West Bank and leaves hundreds of Palestinians homeless.

It sucked Israel into waves of criticisms, as U.S. President George W. Bush singled it out as an obstacle to negotiations.

But Sharon insisted that relations with Washington "remain friendly", raising regional resentment that the Bush administration does not take serious actions against its ally.

Mistake

Omri Sharon, (R), and Rajub (L) seen together at Ben Gurion airport

Sharon had much tougher words for Israeli peace advocates, some of whom will be signing the so-called Geneva initiative on Monday.

"Geneva is an attempt to do something only a government can do. Only a government can conduct political negotiations and sign an agreement," he said.

"It is damaging and embarrassing for Israel, it's a mistake to put on such a show and at the same time jeopardize a program which is the only one that can bring a solution," Sharon argued, in reference to the roadmap.

The Geneva initiative - an alternative and unofficial blueprint drawn up by Israeli left-wingers and Palestinian figures - is due to be launched on Monday in Switzerland.

It deals with all key issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the international attention it has attracted has put pressure on Sharon to work harder towards the resumption of peace talks.

Senior Israeli and Palestinian officials were meeting in London Thursday at an informal seminar.

Sharon’s son Omri is to take part in the two-day seminar with Jibril Rajub, a key adviser to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

But the Israeli premier undermined these peace efforts, accusing the Palestinians of failing to crack down on armed groups.

"We do not see the slightest attempt by the Palestinian Authority to take action against terrorism. That is why Israel has got to do what it's got to do," he claimed, warning of other unilateral steps.

"I am not in favor of an arbitrary timetable, but our patience has limits. I may reach the conclusion that there is no reason to wait for another Palestinian government and another one, and I may take unilateral measures," Sharon warned.

Four Palestinian civilians, including a nine-year-old boy, were killed by Israeli gunfire overnight, and the Israeli army made a fresh incursion into the West Bank city and camp of Jenin, where many local inhabitants were detained.

Possible Withdrawal

Sharon hinted that his troops could withdraw from some of the occupied Palestinian territories.

"It is clear that in the end we will not be in all the places where we are now," the hawkish right-wing premier said.

Recent reports have hinted that Sharon may be planning a withdrawal from isolated Jewish settlements such as Netzarim in the Gaza Strip, as part of a package of unilateral steps.

But Sharon stressed Thursday: "I have no intention to make promises to anybody on any particular place."

On the contrary, his Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim told the Israeli army radio Thursday that the process of authorizing several Jewish settlement outposts in the West Bank was almost complete.

"Illegal settlement outposts were created over the past three years and the procedure engaged for their legalization are about to be completed," he said.

Palestinian officials also dismissed Sharon’s word on withdrawal as a public relations gimmick, citing his earlier claims to make "painful concessions".

"What we do rather need is one equation; an end to occupation of Palestinian territories," Palestinian Legislative Council member Saeb Erekat told Al-Jazeera.

Sharon has been under growing domestic pressure for action to bring peace, not only from a flurry of alternative accords but also criticism from his own army chief and former heads of the Shin Bet internal security service.