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BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: As the U.S. declared Saddam Hussein's regime ended, one huge diplomatic question outstanding was whether victory in Iraq would lead to new steps toward peace between Israel and the Palestinians. After two years of the latest violence, are the two sides ready to negotiate? How much pressure will the U.S. apply?
PAUL MILLER: Israelis prepared for Passover this week with rituals to cleanse dishes and burn food that isn't kosher for Passover. They also stripped the duct tape off their doors and windows and turned in their gas masks.
They are relieved that Saddam Hussein is gone, and that war in Iraq did not spill over into Israel. But they still must deal with conflict close to home.
URI DROMI (Former Government Spokesman): I think Israelis are ready to take on the issue with the Palestinians. I hope the Palestinians are ready, because I think they should be doing some soul-searching themselves, saying what has this Intifadah brought them.
MILLER: Palestinians say it's Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who is preventing a peace settlement.
IBRAHIM MATTAR (Palestinian Political Analyst): Everything depends on the Israelis -- what Sharon and his right-wing government -- what are their intentions? Are they really intending to make a final peace with the Palestinian people? A final negotiated settlement to all the questions involved?
MILLER: Palestinian Christians prayed for peace. Among those walking in the Palm Sunday procession from Bethany to Jerusalem's Old City was Samia Maroum. Her family has lived here for generations. Many of her friends have been part of the steady flight of Christians from Jerusalem and Bethlehem -- too discouraged to stay.
SAMIA MAROUM: The Christians in Jerusalem especially are suffering a lot. We are really very, very sad. We are asking all the Christians in the world to pray for this land so that one day we all live together humbly, with love.
MILLER: In his Easter message, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Holy Land, Patriarch Michel Sabbah, called on the leaders of the Palestinians and Israel to change policies and work for peace. He said both sides should embrace the "road map" -- an internationally endorsed formula to move the peace process forward that is expected to be made public soon.
Rev. MICHEL SABBAH (Latin Patriarch): You have to go with this proposition. It is a positive proposition to put an end to the conflict, to bring peace to your own people and security to the Israeli people.
PAUL MILLER: Israelis prepared for Passover this week with rituals to cleanse dishes and burn food that isn't kosher for Passover. They also stripped the duct tape off their doors and windows and turned in their gas masks.
They are relieved that Saddam Hussein is gone, and that war in Iraq did not spill over into Israel. But they still must deal with conflict close to home.
URI DROMI (Former Government Spokesman): I think Israelis are ready to take on the issue with the Palestinians. I hope the Palestinians are ready, because I think they should be doing some soul-searching themselves, saying what has this Intifadah brought them.MILLER: Palestinians say it's Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who is preventing a peace settlement.
IBRAHIM MATTAR (Palestinian Political Analyst): Everything depends on the Israelis -- what Sharon and his right-wing government -- what are their intentions? Are they really intending to make a final peace with the Palestinian people? A final negotiated settlement to all the questions involved?
MILLER: Palestinian Christians prayed for peace. Among those walking in the Palm Sunday procession from Bethany to Jerusalem's Old City was Samia Maroum. Her family has lived here for generations. Many of her friends have been part of the steady flight of Christians from Jerusalem and Bethlehem -- too discouraged to stay.
SAMIA MAROUM: The Christians in Jerusalem especially are suffering a lot. We are really very, very sad. We are asking all the Christians in the world to pray for this land so that one day we all live together humbly, with love.
Rev. MICHEL SABBAH (Latin Patriarch): You have to go with this proposition. It is a positive proposition to put an end to the conflict, to bring peace to your own people and security to the Israeli people.
MILLER: Bobby Brown lives in Tekoa, a settlement in the southern West Bank ringed by Palestinian villages. Palestinians say the settlements must go. The road map calls for a freeze on settlement activity at the same time as an end to Palestinian terrorism. It is intended to break the deadlock caused by each side demanding that the other make the first concession. 
