Give politics a chance

Dallas Morning News: It is imperative that the Hamas-led Palestinian government renounce terrorism and recognize Israel's right to exist.
How the United States and its allies can best apply leverage to achieve that aim is an open and complex question. Tempting though it may be to act purely on principle, imposing economic sanctions unless Hamas leaders immediately conform -- as they show no sign of doing -- America is likely to sacrifice leverage rather than gaining it.
First, there's the question of whether one should punish words or deeds. Although top Hamas figures continue to call for Israel's destruction and reject calls for direct negotiations, Hamas has for a year observed the cease-fire forged by the previous Palestinian government and says it will continue to do so. The day Hamas breaks the cease-fire is the day it unequivocally merits U.S. sanctions.
By applying less draconian measures in the meantime, such as pushing other Middle Eastern states to help constrain Hamas, the U.S. also preserves a double-barreled threat. It has the power to withdraw funds if Hamas transgresses and it has the power to restore them at a later date if Hamas sufficiently mends its ways.
A recent poll revealed that two-thirds of Palestinians said the new government should negotiate with Israel. A majority accepted the Oslo accord's two-state solution and said military operations against Israeli targets are counterproductive.
If there is to be peace in the Middle East, such attitudes will be its foundation. Shoring up that foundation must be America's foremost objective.