Binyamin Netanyahu with his wife Sara in Jerusalem

The Israeli Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has indicated that he may support the holding of a national referendum on any further Israeli troop withdrawals from the West Bank.

Mr Netanyahu told Israeli radio that any agreement would have to enjoy broad public support.

He said he was considering ways to bring this about, although he wasn't yet committed to a referendum.

Israel has so far rejected an American proposal that it should withdraw from another thirteen per cent of the West Bank; the Palestinians have accepted the plan.