By AP
Rehovot, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told U. S. Senator Mitch McConnell he's determined to pursue policies that may give his nation its best chance in years for a permenent peace with the Palestinians.
After a private meeting with the Israeli leader Monday, McConnell says Sharon made it clear he would not waiver on withdrawing Israeli forces from the Gaza strip.
McConnell says Sharon will also not back down from continuing to build a security fence between Israel and the West Bank.
McConnell ended a 2 1/2 day visit to Israel Monday, accepting an honorary doctorate from the Weizmann Institute of Science. He gave the keynote speech, saying Palestinians must unconditionally renounce terror as a political tool.