WITHIN WEEKS
After removing some of the travel restrictions, Israel would then consider transferring responsibility for some West Bank enclaves to Abbas and his security forces, officials said.
It is unclear how many of the estimated 500 West Bank roadblocks, checkpoints and other barriers would be removed or relocated under the plan being drawn up. Officials said the changes would be carried out in stages, beginning within weeks.
Previously announced roadblock removals were either never carried out or quickly reversed by the Israeli government. In recent weeks, Palestinians have seen an increase, rather than a decrease, in travel restrictions in parts of the West Bank.
"The defence establishment's position is that some adjustments or steps in order to ease the daily life of the Palestinians in the West Bank should be taken," a defence source said. But the source added: "The prime concern is (Israeli) security. That is the first and foremost consideration."
For months, Olmert and the Israeli defence establishment resisted U.S. pressure to remove roadblocks and checkpoints within the West Bank, saying that doing so could open the door for militants to carry out attacks.
Israel in particular objected to an American proposal to remove the network of restrictions around Nablus, the largest West Bank city. That area remains tightly controlled and officials are reluctant to make major changes there.
But Olmert is under growing pressure to move quickly to improve economic conditions in the West Bank.
Olmert will meet later this week in Jerusalem with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who has made movement and access issues a high priority but has gained little ground.
Diplomats said they expected Middle East envoy Tony Blair, who will return to the region in September, to focus on easing travel restrictions that choke off economic activity.
