Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's powerful political rival, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu has given conditional support for a plan to evacuate Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip.
Backing by the influential Mr Netanyahu will help Mr Sharon push through the plan which has raised suspicions within his cabinet despite widespread public support for a Gaza pullout.
Mr Netanyahu, a former prime minister, said in a speech that the evacuation must be accompanied by a "clear American declaration" opposing Palestinian refugees' right of return for to homes in what is now Israel.
Making his first public remarks on the plan, he said there could be no pullback from "even one centimetre of Gaza" until Israel completed its controversial West Bank barrier.
Much will depend on the outcome of Mr Sharon's widely expected visit to Washington in the coming weeks US President George W Bush's response to the Israeli leader's proposal which is not part of any recognised peace formula.