WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- The United States and Britain Friday urged Palestinians to rise to the challenge and welcome a proposed unilateral Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Withdrawal of all Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, together with withdrawal from a few settlements in the occupied West Bank, would help reinvigorate the moribund peace process and lead to the creation of an independent Palestinian state, they said.
"This is a historic moment and I think people need to view it as such and seize the moment," Bush said.
The proposal by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was formally given Bush Wednesday. Palestinian leaders have condemned it, believing it lays the groundwork for Israel to refuse to withdraw from the larger and more economically viable West Bank at a later date.
Bush and Blair Friday argued the plan did not affect the final border status between two states, which must be worked out in final status talks. Blair also said the international community needs to gear up economic and political support following the unilateral withdrawal to help establish a viable Palestinian infrastructure.
