Mideast peace talks begin in Washington

Israeli and Palestinian leaders say talks will stay on course, despite the killing of four Jewish settlers by Hamas.

Peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas are set to begin today in Washington. Last night at the White House President Barack Obama appeared before the media with the two men, as well as King Abdullah of Jordan and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and said he believes lasting peace can be achieved within one year. While previous American-brokered peace talks have failed, observers are seeing some hope in that both sides have pledged to continue talks despite the murder of four Jewish settlers by Hamas on Wednesday. Hamas controls the Gaza Strip, but was not invited to the talks and is expected to attempt to derail negotiations through violence.