The recent truce between the Palestinians and the Israelis, which was announced Tuesday at a summit in Egypt, marks the latest attempt to get the oft-derailed “road map to peace” back on track. The plan calls for a two-state solution that would give the Palestinians an autonomous country of their own and provide greater security for Israel. Although these negotiations have failed in the past, there is good reason to believe that this time around, they may be successful.

Perhaps nothing has altered the dynamics of the peace process more than the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The personal bitterness between him and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was a huge impediment to negotiations. Arafat’s successor, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, is viewed by many as more moderate and politically astute. Abbas and Sharon apparently have some rapport, and both men have lately been speaking the language of peace and compromise.

Secondly, the United States seems poised to take a leading role in the process, with President Bush inviting both leaders to the White House (separately, for now) and pledging $40 million in aid during the next three months to help shore up Palestinian security forces. Bush’s engagement is a pleasant surprise, as he often seemed aloof during his first term when it came to addressing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It’s an encouraging sign that he has invited Abbas to the White House, since he refused to meet with Arafat at all. Agree with his policies or not, the president has a historic opportunity – and a duty – to work toward an end to one of history’s most tragic conflicts. Hopefully, he’ll be able to produce a sense of hope and goodwill between both leaders.

Sharon and Abbas deserve congratulations for setting aside the hostility that has existed between their peoples for so long. There will probably be militants on both sides who will refuse to lay down arms, and who will work to sabotage peace proceedings. I am cautiously optimistic that both men, working in good faith, will be able to weather the inevitable setbacks.

America’s leaders ought to make the peace process one of their highest priorities, as the rewards for the world would be tremendous. If America can act as an honest broker and produce an agreement that benefits both sides, it will show the Arab world that we can be trusted to do what is right, and not just what is politically expedient for Israel. An America-brokered peace has a good chance of succeeding because we can use our economic might to leverage compromises on both sides. Which is not to say that we can do it alone. Certainly, the bulk of the negotiating will be between Abbas and Sharon. But America will have an important role to play, and the president’s mission is clear: If Bush truly wants to spread peace and democracy in the Middle East, this is his chance. Not with guns and bombs, but by fostering a genuine sense of trust and forgiveness between these war-torn peoples.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.