A close ally says Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sees the 425-mile separation barrier as the border between Israel and the new Palestinian state.
Government spokesmen frequently say the barrier was built solely for security reasons and could be removed or rerouted.
But Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who is helping to shape Sharon's new Kadima party, said there could be more to it than that, the Independent reported..
"One does not have to be a genius to see that the fence will have implications for the future border," he said. "This is not the reason it was built, but it could have political implications."
The Palestinian leadership cited the remarks as evidence the barrier, which puts 8 percent of the West Bank including the major settlement blocs on the Israeli side, was an effort to preempt free negotiations on any final peace deal.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
