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A Chance for Peace?

As fighting in the Middle East reached the worst point in a year and a half last week, there was a small glimmer of hope for peace. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah outlined a plan for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Like earlier peace plans, this one calls for Israel to give up land it controls in the West Bank and Gaza to Palestinians. In exchange, Israel's Arab neighbors will establish economic, cultural and political ties with the country. Prince Abdullah is expected to present his proposal at a meeting of Arab leaders this month.

With Israelis and Palestinians locked in the deadliest struggle in decades, the possibility of igniting the peace process is gaining support. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat backs the plan. "The world must act quickly before a state of chaos engulfs the region," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has made no public comments, but Israel agreed to a similar proposal in 1993.

But even with talk of peace, the violence continued. Israel attacked Palestinian refugee camps last week, killing 18 people. It says the camps harbored groups responsible for deadly suicide attacks against Israelis. The latest flare-up leaves many desperate for a solution.

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