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CAN WASHINGTON SALVAGE PEACE?

w

e have reached one of the definingmoments of the gru-

eling and painful conflict that has marked modern Is-

rael's existence. For the past 10 days, Diaspora Jews

have anxiously followed the bloody clashes in Israel

and the intense diplomacy from Washington. In a rel-
atively short period, our vision of the Jewish spiritual homeland has been

painfully transformed. One year ago, we envisioned a plain of peaceful co-ex-

istence. Now, we wonder if the Jewish state stands on the edge of protracted
violence's abyss.

As the Clinton administration scrambles to pick up the pieces, questions

abound. Can the peace process survive? Is it worthy of such effort? As the
politicians hunkered down to wrestle with the issues, our correspondents

hit the field. From Baltimore, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Washington we bring

you this special report on what happened in the Middle East, what it means
and what to expect in the days ahead.

