New leader to keep Jerusalem in Israel

JERUSALEM - Ariel Sharon, flush from an election victory seen as a mandate to veto more concessions to the Palestinians, pledged in a symbolic pilgrimage to Judaism's Western Wall yesterday that Jerusalem will remain in Israeli hands forever.

Sharon's promise, delivered the day after his decisive win over incumbent Prime Minister Ehud Barak, ran directly counter to a key Palestinian demand for control over Jerusalem's walled Old City and its holy shrines.

Sharon aides were quick to portray Israel's new leader as a pragmatist the Palestinians will be able to do business with.

"Sharon wants to bring peace," adviser Raanan Gissin said. "I certainly believe the Arabs ... know they may not get everything they want, but it will be a real agreement."

Sharon aides suggested yesterday that he would be willing to carry out territorial concessions in the West Bank and even dismantle some settlements.

Reuven Rivlin, a lawmaker from Sharon's Likud Party, told Israel TV this would involve "uniting" some islands of Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank, which could involve the dismantling of some isolated Jewish settlements.

Palestinian officials said they were ready to hear Sharon's offers. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat told Sharon in a congratulatory message that his hands "remain stretched out in peace," according to Sharon's advisers.

Arafat advisers said they were unaware of such a message but that they expected the leaders to make direct contact soon.

Palestinians said they would not contemplate any Israeli proposals that fall short of Barak's most recent offer - a Palestinian state in virtually all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as parts of Jerusalem. Sharon has ruled out such concessions, and said he wouldn't begin talks until violence ends.