Israel plans investments in West Bank

JERUSALEM -- Israel will increase investment in some West Bank settlements even as it pulls out of the Gaza Strip, Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday, giving a boost to the ''disengagement" plan ahead of a crucial vote by members of the ruling party.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel has proposed removing all settlements in Gaza, as well as four in the West Bank, and rapidly completing a separation barrier Israel is building in the West Bank. The 200,000 members of Sharon's Likud party will vote on the plan May 2.

Sharon, meanwhile, picked up support from Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom for the Gaza withdrawal.

''We stand today facing the decision to evacuate some settlements for the benefit of strengthening others," Shalom said. Sharon said last week that even under terms of a peace treaty, Israel would insist on keeping five settlement blocs in the West Bank.

Shalom's linking the Gaza pullout and the West Bank buildup reinforced Palestinian fears that the ''disengagement" plan is a ruse to ensure Israel's grip on the West Bank.

The Palestinian leadership said in a statement yesterday that the Sharon plan would turn Gaza into ''a big jail," with Israel still in control of all border crossings and airspace.

Shalom's backing strengthened Sharon's hand, giving him a clear majority in his Cabinet ahead of the party referendum.

In another setback for opponents, Likud yesterday canceled two debates between Sharon and the leading Cabinet detractor, Uzi Landau, who has denounced the plan as a reward for terrorism and dangerous to Israel.

Landau was hoping to persuade Likud voters. Polls indicated a majority of the 200,000 Likud members support the plan.