The people of Israel and the Palestinians have a long and bitter history of conflict. Since 1948, when Israel declared itself an independent nation, the two sides have fought for control of the same land. But in 1993 they struck a deal for peace. Israel agreed to allow the Palestinians to govern parts of two areas known as the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Last week Israel's lawmakers voted in favor of a new peace agreement that requires Israel to turn more of the West Bank over to the Palestinians. They, in return, promise to crack down on anti-Israeli violence. The agreement was signed at the White House last month by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. But Netanyahu insisted that the deal wasn't final until the Israeli government approved it.
It was a close vote. The lawmakers who voted against the plan say Israel is giving up too much land. An Israeli protester held up a sign that read FOR SALE: STATE OF ISRAEL. A GIVEAWAY.
Now comes the hardest part: keeping the peace as the plan is carried out.