An Israeli soldier, who refused Sunday to participate in the demolition of deserted homes in the Gaza settlement of Gush Katif, was sentenced to 56 days in jail Tuesday, the Ha'aretz daily reported.

American-born Corporal Avi Bieber, 19, was brought up on disciplinary charges before Deputy Commander of the army Gaza Division Colonel David Menachem.

Bieber was convicted on three counts of refusing to carry out an order, threatening and insulting a commander and giving media interviews against army regulations, a military spokeswoman said.

Speaking at an annual Jewish Agency conference in Jerusalem on Tuesday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon issued a warning to settlers opposed to the disengagement plan, saying the use of violence against security forces threatens the existence of Israel.

He also condemned calls for soldiers to refuse orders to evacuate settlers in August.

Under the disengagement plan, Israel will evacuate all the 21 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and four in northern West Bank in mid-August.

Source: Xinhua