The author argues that Palestinians' security needs, long undervalued in comparison with those of Israel, must be met in any genuine peace settlement in the Middle East, not onlyfor their own sake but alsofor that of the durability of peace in the region. Key components of Palestinian security are discussed, including adequate self-defence arrangements, external reinforcement and regional linkage, and the prospects for satisfactory progress towards a final settlement during the interim phase of the peace process are examined.*