Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has pledged to move forward with plans to build 3,500 new homes in the West Bank. The construction is considered illegal under international law and the Bush administration has said the plan is “at odds with U.S. policy.” Sharon also wants to form a corridor between the city of Jerusalem and Maale Adumim, the largest West Bank settlement. Palestinians have protested the planned construction because it will split eastern Jerusalem in two — effectively preventing it from becoming the capital of a future Palestinian state. Sharon is expected to meet with President Bush on Monday in Crawford Texas.