WASHINGTON, May 2 (UPI) -- The White House said Sunday it would consult with Israeli officials on moving the peace process forward despite rejection of a pullout from the Gaza Strip.
The withdrawal idea by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was defeated 60 percent to 39 percent Sunday in voting by his Likud Party.
"Our own view has not changed," the White House statement said. "The president welcomed Prime Minister Sharon's plan to withdraw settlements from Gaza and a part of the West Bank as a courageous and important step toward peace," spokesman Scott McClellan said. "We will be in consultation with the prime minister and the government of Israel about how to move forward."
Sharon's plan called for a complete Israeli pullout from the Palestinian Gaza Strip and a small section of the West Bank to kick start President George W. Bush's road map to peace. Palestinians rejected the idea, arguing it was an Israeli plot to keep the West Bank in any final settlement.
Washington's backing for the plan met with Palestinian enmity and rattled key Arab partners in the peace process.
