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Mofaz warned that the proposals would "eat away" at Israel's ability to defend itself in the face of future threats.

To ensure its security, Israel must retain sole control over the Jordan Valley as a defensive buffer and control border crossings to prevent the flow of arms into the Palestinian area, Mofaz said.

Mofaz added that Jerusalem must not be divided, because a lack of contiguity for Jewish neighborhoods would create dangerous friction points. He also called for buffer areas off limits to armed Palestinian security forces.

His appearance before the Knesset committee came as Clinton's Middle East envoy, Dennis Ross, was slated to arrive in the region. Ross' shuttle mission was postponed, however, prompting some reports that it would not take place at all.

U.S. officials said Wednesday that Ross is delaying his arrival until Israel and the Palestinians work out ways to curb violence in the region.

Palestinian sources, however, said the shuttle mission was canceled altogether after Clinton and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat spoke by phone Tuesday night.

Palestinians are especially angered by Clinton's proposal that, in exchange for Israeli concessions on territory and Jerusalem's Temple Mount, Palestinian refugees would give up their "right" to return to the homes they abandoned in Israel.

Palestinians at the Balata refugee camp near Nablus in the West Bank demonstrated Wednesday against Ross' visit, with some 20 masked gunmen burning Ross' photo.

Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo, citing opposition to Clinton's proposals, said Wednesday it makes little difference whether or not Ross comes to the region.