"What is this? Deception?" he said.
In another development, Israel is considering a sweeping change in the route of its planned security barrier along the West Bank because of US pressure and Palestinian complaints, leaving most Jewish settlements on the Palestinian side, according to security officials.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said planners are considering building the barrier instead close to the 1967 line, excluding large Jewish settlements like Ariel, where about 18,000 Israelis live, in the center of the West Bank.
Palestinians had complained that by including Ariel and other settlements on the Israeli side, Israel was cutting deep into the West Bank. Palestinians claim the whole territory for a state.
In talks in Washington last week, Sharon heard US concerns that despite Israeli declarations that the barrier would be only a security device to keep Palestinian attackers out, the route of the barrier would be perceived as a political border, pre-empting negotiations.
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