Though the US-back road map peace plan calls for a freeze on any and all expansion of Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced that Israel will expand settlements in these areas. “There will be building in the settlement blocs,” he said, specifically mentioning that the planned expansion of Ma’ale Adumim that would ensure its contiguity with Jerusalem. He also said “the Ariel bloc will remain a part of Israel forever, connected territorially to Israel.” Though he has announced that there will not be a second disengagement, Israelis are skeptical since he also vowed not to remove the Gush Katif Settlement Bloc in Gaza.