They met, they talked, they failed. The White House-sponsored summit between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat came to no peace negotiation over the last two days.

Instead, Netanyahu left with a greater trust of Arafat. A good first step for two leaders who couldn’t agree to meet until the United States stepped in.

But these two leaders are in a debate that demands more time and a setting aside of the psychological constraints that have plagued their people for so many years.

Their meeting, which was called for by President Bill Clinton, resulted after last week’s fighting between Palestinians and Israelis that left more than 70 people dead.

The fighting ignited after a decision was made to open an archaeological tunnel for tourists near a Jerusalem mosque. Netanyahu said the tunnel would remain open.

However, the larger issue at stake is about peace.

If the White House meeting between Arafat and Netanyahu was more of a showcase of handshakes and photo shoots, then the East Room’s display of these important leaders, which included Jordan’s King Hussein and Clinton, was an act.

But if Arafat and Netanyahu are to progress into civil negotiations for peace, they must be willing to compromise. Presently, they both want peace, but they both want to get it their own way.

Nabil Shaath, an aide to Arafat, left Washington saying the summit was Israel’s fault.

It’s both their faults, and they have to stop the blaming and look for solutions.

Their next meeting at Erez, a border crossing between Israel and Gaza, will give them more time to do this.

But if they can set aside their pasts for an agreement that is rational then peace will have prevailed.