Can a video game game show the way to peace in the Middle East?

As Israeli, Palestinian and Arab leaders prepare for tomorrow's Annapolis summit, 100,000 average Palestinians and Israelis have been issued copies of PeaceMaker, an award-winning simulation of the conflict.

As reported by the Jerusalem Post, PeaceMaker was distributed by the Peres Center for Peace in Tel Aviv. A press release describes the premise behind the game:

PeaceMaker allows the player to try his or her skills of diplomacy and leadership by playing as either the Israeli Prime Minister or the Palestinian President.  Incorporating real-world events and news stories, the game challenges players to succeed as a leader where others have failed; to experience the joy of bringing peace to the region - or the agony of plunging the Middle East into disaster.

Ron Pundak, director of the Peres Center, told the Post:

The way is pragmatism, entering the role of the other. You must take into account the other side. It will help (each side) understand limitations of each one's president and leader, and as well the limitation of the other side.

A symbolic copy of PeaceMaker will also be sent to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas upon their return from Annapolis.