WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- Possible Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Iran top the agenda in a meeting Tuesday between President Bush and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
U.S. and Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Olmert would brief Bush on details of Tel Aviv's so-called "convergence" plan, under which Israel would withdraw from all but some key Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territory, but that no endorsement or rejection from Bush was expected.
The plan, which would be similar to Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip last year, is prompted by Israeli thinking that with Hamas now in control of the Palestinian Authority, there is no Palestinian government with which to negotiate an overall peace settlement.
Hamas still refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist and refuses to renounce violence against Israel.
The convergence plan, although apparently in early stages, would feature Israel withdrawing to behind the security fence it erected to protect Israel against Palestinian terrorists in the West Bank.
The Bush administration, however, continues to beat the drum for a two-state solution negotiated between the parties with international help.
On Iran, Israel has warned the Tehran regime is months away from acquiring the technical know-how to build a nuclear weapon and talks are expected to focus on coordinated efforts to hamstring, if not end, Iran's nuclear enrichment program.
