RALEIGH - The Israeli-Palestinian summit in Annapolis, Md., will occur at a very symbolic and significant time. Symbolic, because even though 60 years have passed since the United Nations formulated its partition plan in 1947 to create a Jewish and an Arab state, the answer continues to be the two-state solution.

Significant, because in contrast to 60 years ago -- when the Jews accepted the plan while the Arabs rejected it -- this time both parties and some Arab governments endorse the principle of a two-state solution, "two countries for two peoples."

Sixty years of bloodshed have brought us full circle. The Annapolis summit marks the first time in many years that Israelis and Palestinians, encouraged by an American diplomatic initiative, will engage in serious negotiations. It is our hope that it will serve to map out a comprehensive way to move forward and lay the groundwork for dealing with the real challenges ahead.

The challenges are numerous, including finding a way to address the difficult issues of borders, refugees, settlements and Jerusalem, among others. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will have to convince the Israeli people that compromises over these fundamental issues will lead to a genuine and durable peace free of terrorism and violence.

l l l

IT IS DAUNTING FOR ISRAEL TO TAKE RISKS FOR PEACE when Hamas and Islamic Jihad constantly launch Qassam rockets across the Gaza border; when Iran, whose president threatens to wipe Israel off the map, provides even longer-range missiles and more advanced weaponry to its proxy, Hezbollah, in Lebanon; and when Syria is implicated in building a nuclear facility supplied by North Korea. All this has occurred in the aftermath of Israeli withdrawals from both Gaza and Lebanon.

Let there be no mistake about the fanatical ideology that links these different groups. This is the essence of Islamist extremism that according to Sen. Joseph Lieberman, is a totalitarian ideology "as vicious and violent as the fascism and communism we Americans and our allies fought and defeated in the last century."

What can Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian leadership do to advance peace? A willingness to compromise would be signaled by plain talk to the Palestinian people directly about their commitment to a two-state solution and public condemnation of any incitement to violence and martyrdom. Their challenge is to eradicate terror, establish law and order, stem corruption and educate for peaceful coexistence.

Former U.S. Mideast envoy Dennis Ross has observed that the Palestinian Authority has the opportunity to build a "culture of accountability" by fashioning a responsive and responsible political system and by encouraging grass-roots organizations and a civil society in the West Bank. This can attract economic investment and philanthropy from moderate Arab states as a constructive alternative to "Hamastan" which has amassed an estimated 70 tons of smuggled munitions after seizing the Gaza Strip.

l l l

SIXTY YEARS AGO, FASCISM AND EXTREMISM WERE DEFEATED and the world entered what was believed to be an era of moderation. By advancing the partition plan, the U.N. hoped to bring calm to the Holy Land by providing self-determination to the two peoples inhabiting it. Unfortunately this opportunity was not embraced by the Arab side and that rejection has led to 60 years of wars and suffering.

A window to resolve the conflict has opened once again. Changes are being felt in the Arab world. Moderates throughout the region are recognizing the need to confront the jihadists and their major patron, Iran, whose apparent nuclear ambitions threaten the stability of their regimes. They are ready to acknowledge that Israel will be a permanent part of the Middle East.

Israel remains a staunch and reliable ally of the United States in a very dangerous part of the world. She has built a thriving democracy and an enterprising economy while resettling hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia, North Africa and the Middle East. Israeli Arabs enjoy full citizenship, serve in the Knesset and have the highest standard of living among Arabs in the Middle East. Israel's achievements in science, medicine, agriculture, technology and the arts are a model to the developing world despite 60 years of nearly constant war and tension with her neighbors.

Although forced to prepare for war, Israel yearns for peace. May the next 60 years be characterized by peace, prosperity and friendship among Israel, the Palestinians and their neighbors. The Annapolis summit is an opportunity for all sides to start on a positive path in order to make the dream a reality.

(Robert Goldwasser is president of the Raleigh-Cary Jewish Federation. Dr. Michael Ross chairs the federation's Jewish Community Relations Council.)