More Jewish settlements 'must go'

Ehud Olmert said Israel might have to pay a "tough price"

Israel's deputy prime minister has said the withdrawal of Jews from the West Bank is likely to involve more than the four settlements slated for evacuation.

Ehud Olmert said Israel had no choice but to quit some areas if it was to remain a free and democratic state.

Current plans foresee a full pullout of Jews from Gaza and the closure of four of more than 100 West Bank settlements.

Correspondents say Mr Olmert is close to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and sometimes floats ideas at his behest.

The US-backed roadmap peace plan between Israel and the Palestinians obliges Israel to stop settlement growth while Palestinians are required to act against militant attacks on Israel.

ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS 400,000 settlers in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and Gaza Strip 130 settlements authorised by Israeli governments About 100 unauthorised settlements, 60 built during Ariel Sharon's government Israel spends about $500m on settlements annually - excluding security Sources: Peace Now group and Haaretz newspaper Maps: West Bank settlements

All settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.

Mr Sharon has called for a controversial complete evacuation of the 7,000 settlers in Gaza and the troops who protect them next year, but the plans for the West Bank were less all-encompassing.

Israel will maintain control of Gaza's borders, coastline and airspace.

Mr Olmert said even the US, which he described as "virtually our only friend", favours an Israeli withdrawal from almost all of the West Bank.

He also said changes in the limits of the area controlled by Israel would ensure that the Jewish state maintained a majority Jewish population.

"In the future, there will be a need to evacuate more settlements in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank] - not because it's just, but because there is no choice if we want to remain a Jewish and democratic state," Mr Olmert's office quoted him as saying to settler leaders.

"If we don't do this, we will pay a very tough price," he added.