Hamas’ 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.

Scepticism is more than warranted. But Hamas’s admission of weakness could provide at least a chance to quell the violence and resuscitate peace talks. Bush should not squander the opportunity.

Hamas 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 recognise Israel’s right to exist. Aides to Abbas warned on Sunday that Hamas will have to make some rhetorical concessions — no matter how grudging — before a unity government can hope to win international acceptance. If progress is to be made, Israel will need to turn over tax revenues and stop expanding settlements. And if a ceasefire 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 Bush and his secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, try the hard work of diplomacy. — The New York Times