Israeli lawmakers discuss settler buyout plan

Occupied Jerusalem: Israel's Cabinet on Sunday debated a proposal to offer compensation to Jewish settlers who would leave parts of the occupied West Bank.

The vacated land would be handed over to Palestinians in a future peace deal.

A spokesman quoted Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as describing it as an attempt to prepare "the Israeli consciousness" for territorial compromise.

The "evacuation-compensation" plan, which Olmert supports, would offer payment to settlers who agree to leave settlements in the occupied West Bank.

In the proposal, each family would get $308,000 as compensation.

At least 500,000 Israelis live in the occupied West Bank.