He also said that Israel would immediately begin removing "unauthorized" settlements.

And so what the prime minister has done is, he's started the process of removing settlements from the West Bank.

Until now, the Syrian leader had not budged from his insistence that Israel first remove its armed forces and civilian settlements from the strategic plateau.

In 2002, the federal and state government signed an accord to remove illegal human settlements and work to prevent further encroachment.

House demolitions are also used to remove illegal (by Israeli law) Israeli settlements.

This is the first time that the leader of the conservative Likud Party has promised to remove Jewish settlements in occupied lands.

Toward that end, he made clear that he would take steps that include removing settlements and easing obstacles on Palestinian movement and trade.

The public is prepared to strike a deal, to remove settlements even without an agreement.

Israel accepted at once but the Palestinians have hesitated, insisting that the agenda be broadened to include removing Israeli settlements from the occupied territories.

The Prime Minister made no mention of having to remove settlements, which is crucial if a viable Palestinian State is to be achieved.