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Source: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04569757.htm
Sharon Aide: Israel Likely to Keep 180,000 Settlers
(Reuters) Israel expects at least 180,000 of the current 240,000 settlers in the West Bank will be able to stay in their homes with approval from the U.S., Dov Weisglass, senior adviser to Prime Minister Sharon, said on Thursday. "Altogether, we talk about 180,000 settlers of a total population of 240,000. So this is of course a significant step forward in this matter," Weisglass said. He said that Washington backed Israel keeping major settlement blocs as "an integral part of the State of Israel." "It means the entire area of greater Jerusalem, the city of Maale Adumim, the settlements in the Gush Etzion area, and the bloc of settlements around Ariel."