Diplomacy is a complex exercise. Decisions made in the context of a diplomatic situation are often fraught with challenges and the implications of a de­termination that eventually proves to be erro­neous could be dire.

One such diplomatic decision that very well may have lasting repercussions is the Unit­ed States’ perplexing pronouncement that it is willing to work with the new unity govern­ment that has been formed by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

Hamas and its terrorist tendencies are well known to the United States and to the world. As a terrorist organization that openly calls for the obliteration of the State of Israel and relish­es the opportunity to perpetrate deadly acts of terror against innocent civilians, Hamas’ in­volvement in a unity government with Fatah is particularly troubling. With its violent back­ground and detestable views towards the Sate of Israel and the Jewish nation, any govern­ment that includes Hamas as a partner should be shunned by the international communi­ty. Yet, the United States somehow concluded that it makes diplomatic sense to give Hamas a chance. As Israel’s leaders rushed to decry the new unity government, the United States rushed to embrace it.

What makes the United States’ decision so much more disconcerting is that it reportedly in­formed Israel that it would take a “wait and see” approach with the unity government, and then did an abrupt about-face, thereby paving the way for the European Union and the United Na­tions to also indicate a willingness to accept the unity government.

How is it that the United States was fooled so easily? Although Palestinian Au­thority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and the Fatah leadership are quick to note that none of the initial members of the new government are part of Hamas, we all know who is pulling the strings in this pup­pet show. Moreover, when there are elec­tions for the new unity government, who is to say that Hamas won’t step in and as­sert its power in order to secure the govern­mental seats that it covets?

Just as the world would certainly not recognize nor collaborate with a govern­ment that was established and openly sup­ported by a terrorist group such as Al Qae­da, so too the international community should not accept a government in which Hamas plays a vital role.

It is important to recognize that a ter­rorist in a business suit is still a terrorist. Members of Hamas will continue to harbor extreme animosity towards Israel, regard­less of whether they are part of a governing body or building bombs in an explosives factory. These are the same people that cel­ebrated the recent abduction of three Is­raeli students in a tasteless and appalling display of callous indifference as the boys’ families and an entire nation were forced to endure indescribable pain and anguish.

And what about Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority? Why is it that they con­tinually get a pass from the United States after repeatedly taking steps that run counter to Is­rael’s best interests?

The decision by Abbas to embrace Ha­mas is an affront not just to Israel, but to the entire diplomatic community, and I believe that there must be consequences for having made that choice. Once again, Mahmoud Abbas has thumbed his nose at the United States and at the peace process, but the ram­ifications do not appear to be forthcoming.

It is time for Abbas to face the music for his actions. Even after Abbas defied the United States’ wishes and unilaterally went to the United Nations in an effort to achieve statehood, there was no diminu­tion in U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authori­ty. Following Abbas’ decision to walk away from the peace process, there were no con­sequences. Although Abbas has funneled money received from the United States and intended for foreign aid to the families of terrorists who murdered Israelis, there have been no penalties imposed on him.

Now that Abbas has embraced Ha­mas and empowered them, it is incom­prehensible that the United States would once again proceed without duly castigat­ing him. It is time for the United States to stand up to Mahmoud Abbas and penalize him accordingly. For example, if Congress was to immediately defund the Palestin­ian Authority, it would send a clear mes­sage that embracing Hamas and endorsing their terrorist ways has grave ramifications. In fact, the language in the United States’ annual appropriations bills, which restricts the delivery of financial aid to the Pales­tinian Authority in the event that there is a power-sharing government between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, seems to inherently preclude the United States from continuing to fund them with hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

And let us not forget for a moment where some of the American dollars flow­ing into the Palestinian Authority ultimate­ly end up. It is inconceivable that the Unit­ed States would keep sending hundreds of millions of dollars each year to the Pal­estinian Authority so that it can continue perpetuating incitement through its hate-based educational curriculum and provid­ing a safe haven for terrorists who it cele­brates as heroes.

The United States should reconsider its decision to take a “wait and see” approach with the unity government, and instead is­sue a swift condemnation of this deadly union with a dangerous terrorist organiza­tion. With its track record of murder and mayhem, Hamas is not worthy of the Unit­ed States’ trust, nor does any government with which Hamas is associated deserve the United States’ backing.

I hope that the United States will see through the façade that has been created by Hamas and take the necessary steps to protect the people of Israel, and not the people who want to destroy Israel.

N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake. blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.Jew­ishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @ troodler

ByN. Aaron Troodler, Esq.