The plan by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to create buffer zones between Israel and the Palestinians is drawing criticism from both right and left-wingers in Israel as well as from the Palestinians.

In a broadcast speech Thursday, Mr. Sharon said Israel will begin building buffers between Israel and the Palestinians "to provide security for Israeli citizens wherever they live." Although he gave no details on the placement of the buffers, he said they would be used to protect Israelis from attacks by Palestinian militants.

Palestinians expressed outrage at the Sharon proposal. Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo called the buffer plan an attempt to imprison the Palestinian people within their cities, towns and villages.

Israeli hard-liners voiced concern the buffer zones might be construed as borders, endangering the future of Jewish settlements. Israelis who advocate Israeli withdrawal from most of the West Bank, also criticized Mr. Sharon's proposal, asserting that borders are needed to keep the two sides apart.

Labor Party parliament member Haim Ramon criticized Mr. Sharon for refusing to even consider the possibility of removing Jewish settlements from the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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