Achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East might seem hopeless given the fractious history of the region. As Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, however, we believe peace is an essential of faith that can be attained.

In this holy season, our shared commitment compels us to recognize that the light of a new future can break through the darkness of past tragedies and political failures. We believe the United States has an indispensable role to help make this happen.

We are increasingly frustrated that our own government has failed to show the necessary leadership to bring an end to the long-standing conflict between Israelis and Arabs. In response, our national inter-religious initiative released a statement last week signed by 34 leaders of Jewish, Christian and Muslim organizations calling on President Bush and Congress to make peace in the Middle East a top foreign policy priority.

We are not naive about the challenges ahead. As leaders who have spent extensive time focused on the Middle East with concerns for both Arabs and Israelis, we know there are no easy answers. Our deep ties to the region help us to appreciate the different narratives of the people who live together on this ancient and contested soil. Each community has authentic stories of suffering and legitimate aspirations. The fundamental choice we face is whether to allow political, cultural and religious differences to tear us apart or to stand together in solidarity.

A time of crisis can awaken opportunities for change. The tenuous cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians, along with the Baker-Hamilton report conclusion that Arab-Israeli peace is an important part of bringing overall stability to the region, offers a new opportunity for urgently needed U.S. leadership. The only way forward is a negotiated settlement built on realistic compromises, a rejection of violence and genuine dialogue. This will best serve not only U.S. interests, but also strengthen moderate voices in the region.

Specifically, President Bush and the new Congress should do more to create conditions that lead to serious negotiations for a two-state solution following the lines of the "roadmap" developed by the United States in cooperation with the European Union, Russia and the United Nations, and also build on unofficial model peace agreements such as the Geneva Accord.

This requires, among other steps, urging Israel to support a viable Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza; calling on Hamas to reject violence and recognize Israel; providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians and urging Israeli and Palestinian leaders to restart negotiations.

Our government must effectively urge Palestinian leaders to end attacks against Israel, punish perpetrators of violence and make clear that the Palestinian Authority is empowered to negotiate a two-state solution with Israel. At the same time, President Bush should call on Israel to resolve the crisis in Gaza. This means strengthening the current cease-fire, stopping military attacks on Palestinians, releasing Palestinian officials and other prisoners and improving security for all Israelis and Palestinians.

The way forward will be difficult and require hard choices. The alternative is more bloodshed and death.

Jews, Christians and Muslims trace their spiritual heritages back to the patriarch Abraham. We believe that all human beings are created in God's image. Violence in the name of God defiles all religions and the dignity of each human person. We ask our nation's leaders to show the moral and political will needed to move from crisis to hope in the Middle East so that all of God's children may soon taste the fruits of peace.

Rabbi David Saperstein is with the Religion Action Center of Reform Judaism; Dr. Sayyid Syeed, the Islamic Society of North America. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick is the retired archbishop of Washington, D.C.