Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s chief aide publicly claimed yesterday that Israel’s plan to withdraw settlers from the Gaza strip while expanding settlements on the West Bank was designed to freeze the peace process and permanently prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. The aide, Dov Weissglas, said, “When you freeze that process, you prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, and you prevent a discussion on the refugees, the borders and Jerusalem.” Weissglas also said the White House backs this new policy. The remarks caused a political storm in Israel forcing Sharon to claimed he still backs the U.S.-led road map which calls for a Palestinian state. Former Israeli cabinet minister and author of the Geneva peace initiative, Yossi Beilin, said Weissglas’ “frightening comments” and revealed Sharon’s true intentions. Beilin said “They reveal the fact that it is Sharon who is not a peace partner, and the peace camp must work for him to be overthrown.”