The first direct peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians in nearly two years are getting under way in Washington.
Barack Obama inaugurated the new peace process saying “too much blood” had already been spilled in the Middle East
The US President hosted a dinner in the White House at which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sat at the table.
Jordan’s King Abdullah and Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak were there in supporting roles.
Before dinner the President said he was “cautiously hopeful” of the chances of success.
“Do we have the wisdom and the courage to walk the path of peace?” Mr Obama asked of each of the four Middle East leaders seated next to him.
One by one they answered his challenge.
Mr Netanyahu responded with a personal appeal to his Palestinian counterpart.
He stressed the need for a peace that guaranteed Israeli security on a day that saw four Jewish settlers buried.
They were killed in the West Bank by Hamas, which opposes these talks.
Only hours before the White House ceremony, another two Israelis had been attacked by Palestinian gunmen on a West Bank road, leaving both wounded.
King Abdullah warned there would be more attempts to sabotage this new peace process.
These talks begin with low expectations.
It has taken 20 months to simply bring the Israelis and Palestinians face to face in negotiations again.
Even before the first words are uttered, the negotiations are threatened by a row over Jewish settlements on occupied land.
The Israelis are indicating they are unlikely to renew a ten-month reduction in settlement construction.
The Palestinians say they cannot stay in talks without one.
Both Mr Abbas and Mr Mubarak have called on Israel to freeze settlement construction.
But Mr Abbas also vowed to make these talks work.
“We will spare no effort and we will work diligently and tirelessly to ensure these negotiations achieve their cause,” he said.
If the settlement impasse can be overcome, success or failure will depend on the chemistry between Mr Abbas and Mr Netanyahu and their ability to find a dynamic that has for so long eluded peace efforts between their two peoples.