A Real Test for the Palestinians, Editorial, The New York Times, 09.18. 06

After six months of crippling sanctions, Hamas’s leaders are trying to figure out the very minimum they need to say – and the even less they plan to do – to end their isolation and salvage their government. Skepticism is more than warranted. But Hamas’s admission of weakness could provide at least a chance to quell the violence and resuscitate peace talks. The Bush administration should not squander the opportunity.

The radical Islamist Hamas – which came to power after last January’s legislative elections – has been negotiating to form a national unity government with the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate, and his Fatah Party. Hamas still refuses to say the words necessary to unlock international aid: that it will renounce violence and recognize Israel’s right to exist. Aides to Mr. Abbas warned yesterday that Hamas will have to make some rhetorical concessions – no matter how grudging – before a unity government can hope to win international acceptance.

Words are important. But worrying about who said what should not divert attention from what should be the real test of any Palestinian government: whether it will commit to a genuine cease-fire and use its security forces to halt, rather than abet, rocket and terrorist attacks against Israel.

The cutoff of financing has taken a harsh toll on the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza. Even then, Hamas began to buckle only after government employees, unpaid for months, went on strike. The Europeans are eager to resume aid, but all that leverage will be lost if they settle for words rather than deeds. The Bush administration is right to warn against that. Unfortunately, that is all that it has been doing.

One can spend endless hours puzzling over why President Bush has made no effort to broker a peace between Israel and the Palestinians. After pushing so hard to isolate Hamas, he now needs to capitalize on its weakness.

Working with the Europeans and moderate Arab states – all desperate to see Washington engage – the administration should take the lead in trying to negotiate a cease-fire and a prisoner exchange. Washington should also send a clear message to Syria that there can be real rewards if it restrains its clients, Hamas and Hezbollah, while the Europeans should warn of real punishments if it refuses.

If progress is to be made, Israel will need to turn over tax revenues and stop expanding settlements. And if a cease-fire can be put in place, Washington should push for a quick resumption of peace talks.

Skepticism is a basic requirement for dealing in the Middle East. But that cannot be an excuse for nearly six years of White House inaction. It’s time that Mr. Bush and his secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, try the hard work of diplomacy.

AUTHOR

SPME

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