FEW people will oppose a solution to the Middle East crisis which is based on the peaceful co-existence of the states of Israel and Palestine.

But, no matter how often President Bush and the Prime Minister outline the goal, it will not be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Too much emphasis and too many hopes are being placed on the forthcoming Palestinian elections to choose a successor to Yasser Arafat.

While an agreement can only be struck if the new leadership is genuinely committed to peace, the responsibility for co-existence does not lie exclusively with the Palestinians.

The Israelis, too, must play their part. A signal from Israel that it is prepared to re-invigorate negotiations must help secure a government in Palestine able to "do business".

President Bush and Mr Blair are right to support the creation of democratic institutions and the elimination of terrorist groups within Palestine.

But they must also not neglect the need to prompt a more conciliatory outlook from the Israeli leadership.

A peace which guarantees and secures the future of both Israel and Palestine is the only feasible option to ending the Middle East crisis.

That is a message which has a relevance on both sides of the dispute.