Incoming Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has repeated his intention to retain control of large settlements in the West Bank.
In a policy speech to parliament, Mr Olmert said today that Israel needed to rid itself of isolated West Bank settlements but would maintain control over the larger blocs forever.
Mr Olmert said he preferred to reach a deal with the Palestinians through negotiations based on the internationally backed "road map" peace plan. But if that failed, he said he would act unilaterally to create "desirable" borders that would be significantly different from the current ones.
Israel has been in occupation of the West Bank since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, and its settlements are considered illegal under international law.
Mr Olmert's comments came today as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate leader from the Fatah Party, appealed to Mr Olmert to resume peace talks with him immediately.
"You have a serious partner. We are a partner for negotiations," Abbas told the Israeli daily Maariv. "I have a mandate to reach an agreement with Ehud Olmert. We have the capability and we have the desire. We must not miss the opportunity."
However, talks with the Palestinians appear unlikely to bear fruit as long as Hamas refuses to meet Israel's conditions. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas yesterday rejected Olmert's unilateral plan.
"We are in favour of any Israeli withdrawal," Mr Haniyeh said. "If they are going to leave our land, we are not going to run after them and ask them to come back. This does not mean we are going to accept a de facto policy."
Mr Olmert's centrist Kadima Party won a March election, but does not have enough seats in parliament to rule alone. His new coalition will include 67 of the 120 members of the Israeli parliament, and is to be sworn in this evening after a debate and a vote of confidence.
AP