Israelis digest Sharon turnaround

By James Reynolds BBC Middle East correspondent

Sharon has angered some right-wing erstwhile supporters

For years, Ariel Sharon was adamant that there should be no Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza.

But late in 2001, as prime minister, he quietly announced that he could see some sort of Palestinian state in the future.

Now he has persuaded his cabinet to endorse - with reservations - the roadmap which aims to create a viable Palestinian state by the end of 2005.

Mr Sharon's position has confused many of his most faithful supporters - including Jewish settlers in the West Bank.

'Lost the plot'

"I'm sorry for him, I'm sorry for him," says Henry Goldbloom, a lawyer who lives in Efrat.

"In other words I feel he has lost the plot."

That's a feeling shared by many other right-wing Israelis as well.

I think that the idea of keeping 3.5 million Palestinians under occupation is the worst thing for Israel, for the Palestinians and also for the Israeli economy

Ariel Sharon

Mr Sharon's colleagues in the Likud Party are angry that he is going along with the roadmap. They are upset that he used the word "occupation" in a speech - a word normally shunned by Israel's right wing.

For Israel's prime minister, home ground is now apparently hostile ground.

In Jerusalem, Mr Sharon's moves have created a mixed impression.

"He understands there is no other way," one young Israeli man told me.

"I myself was like him. But people change so the country will benefit."

'Politician's decision'

But one woman was more sceptical.

"He's a politician," she said, "You have to take that in mind."

Mr Sharon has made a few dramatic moves in recent days. But concessions have so far been rhetorical - nothing more.

As yet he has taken no concrete steps. Until he does so, many sceptics will not be convinced that he has made any great change.

The first test may come when Mr Sharon holds talks with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen.

That will be a chance for everyone to see how fast and how far each man is willing to go with the roadmap.